Astros make a controversial trade to get closer Roberto Osuna from Blue Jays

Roberto Osuna can pitch, but he brings baggage. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

As the trade deadline looms, the Astros have made one of the more controversial trades in recent memory to get a closer that could fuel them in the postseason. Monday, Houston acquired closer Roberto Osuna from the Blue Jays with Toronto receiving recently disgraced Ken Giles along with prospects David Paulino and Hector Perez.

Osuna, who had an All-Star season in 2017 is a young reliever who has been with the Blue Jays since he debuted in 2015. Last year, Osuna had 39 saves and 10 blown saves with a 3.38 ERA over 64 innings pitched. In his 15 games before the suspension this year, Osuna had 9 saves and 1 blown save with 15.1 innings pitched and a 2.93 ERA.

Osuna definitely has a great arm and will be a great addition to the bullpen, however, it comes with a great deal of baggage. Earlier this year, Osuna was suspended 75 games for violating the MLB's domestic violence policy. The allegations are that Osuna assaulted a woman in Toronto which resulted in his arrest on May 8, 2018, leading to his suspension. Osuna plead not guilty, though did not appeal his suspension. Osuna has a court date on Wednesday for the case, which is expected to be settled, and is eligible to return to the MLB on August 5th and is reportedly scheduled to join the Astros in Los Angeles this weekend.

Houston gives up Ken Giles, a once dominant closer recently sent down after poor performance and alleged outburst towards A.J. Hinch in his last major league game, along with prospects David Paulino and Hector Perez. Paulino served a lengthy suspension in 2017 for violating the MLB's PED policy, though is still the #23 prospect in the Astros organization according to MLB.com. Perez is a much higher prospect, currently ranked #10 in Houston's system.

Giles, as many Astros fans know, has had a roller coaster of a season, though did well in save situations, and may be able to turn things around on a new team. Paulino has started seven games in the minors this year, going 27 innings in those starts with a 4.67 ERA and 33 strikeouts. Perez has made 13 starts this year across A and AA, and pitched in relief in 8 others for 21 total games. In those games, Perez has a 3-4 record and a 3.73 ERA with 101 strikeouts over 89.1 innings pitched.

Despite the Astros front office putting out a statement to try and assure fans that Osuna's past is behind him, it has not surprisingly resulted in less than rave reviews from fans around Houston as they have issues accepting someone with Osuna's alleged character issues on their team. Here is what Jeff Lunhow had to say:

"We are excited to welcome Roberto Osuna to our team," said Lunhow. "The due diligence by our front office was unprecedented. We are confident that Osuna is remorseful, has willfully complied with all consequences related to his past behavior, has proactively engaged in counseling, and will fully comply with our zero tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind. Roberto has some great examples of character in our existing clubhouse that we believe will help him as he and his family establish a fresh start and as he continues with the Houston Astros. We look forward to Osuna's contributions as we head into the back half of the season."

Yes, the Astros have the elite closer they have been going after to help them in the playoffs. However, the cost, both in the players given up and the PR of the person they've acquired, may be too hard to swallow for fans of the team who vows to #NeverSettle.

Statistics acquired from milb.com, mlb.com, and espn.com

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The Longhorns host Georgia on Saturday night. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

By any measure, from the official statistics to the informal eye test, top-ranked Texas' defense has been dominant.

The Longhorns rank No. 1 in total defense and scoring defense. They are top 10 in first downs allowed, tackles for loss and passing yards. Much of that is built against opponents starting former walk-on quarterbacks ( Michigan ) and freshmen ( Mississippi State and Oklahoma.)

But the level of quarterback play Texas will face, in both talent and experience, is about to get much better over the second half of the season.

Texas hosts No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night in the first matchup of top five teams in Austin since 2006, before playing the next week at Vanderbilt. Bulldogs senior Carson Beck was a preseason first team Associated Press All-America pick, and standout Vanderbilt transfer Diego Pavia has carried the Commodores to a surprising 4-2 start, including a historic win over then-No. 1 Alabama.

Quite simply, Texas hasn't defended this caliber of quarterback all season.

Beck is a player on the doorstep of the NFL, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said.

“There's nothing in the throw game (Beck) can't do,” Sarkisian said. “He's played enough football now, too. It's kind of hard to confuse guys when they've played that much football.”

Texas (6-0, 2-0 SEC) has allowed just one team to pass for more than 200 yards this season. Beck passed for 459 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions last week in a 41-31 win over Mississippi State. His 36 completions set a Georgia record.

Even when Beck struggled early in Georgia's loss to Alabama, he rallied the Bulldogs to a late fourth-quarter lead. He finished with 439 yards in the loss where Georgia's rally ended with an Alabama interception in the end zone in the final minute.

Sarkisian recruited Beck when the Texas coach was an assistant at Alabama. Beck had initially committed to the Crimson Tide before switching to Georgia.

Beck is 18-2 in his career as a starter, and 6-2 against top 20 opponents.

The Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1) will need another exceptional game from him Saturday. A second SEC loss could threaten any chance of playing for the SEC championship, and raise the alarms on the College Football Playoff as well.

Texas has all but overwhelmed opposing quarterbacks so far.

In last week's 34-3 thrashing of rival Oklahoma, the Longhorns sacked Sooners freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. five times, and held him to 27 yards on 20 carries. Texas allowed just 225 total yards.

Hawkins was the first Sooners freshman to start at quarterback against the Longhorns in the 120-year history of the rivalry and was quickly swallowed up by a relentless pass rush.

By the numbers, the Longhorns program is on pace for a historic season. Sarkisian has said his favorite stat is points allowed, which is not many.

Texas has surrendered only three touchdowns all season. Opponents have snatched four turnovers inside Texas territory, but none have produced points.

That ability to snuff momentum can drain an opponent, Sarkisian said.

“We're so composed as a defense,” Texas safety Michael Taaffe said. “We're so confident, that no matter what happens, everything is going to be alright.”

The only time Texas has trailed this season was a 3-0 early deficit against Oklahoma. Several Longhorns starters were still on the field when the Sooners' final drive stalled at the Texas 6-yard-line as the game ended.

The stars emerging for the Longhorns have been second-year linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and freshman edge rusher Colin Simmons.

Hill leads the team in total tackles (42), sacks (4 1/2) and tackles for loss (8 1/2). His sideline-to-sideline speed and move this season from the edge to the middle of the Texas defense has drawn comparisons to former Longhorns All-American Derrick Johnson 20 years ago.

Simmons has four sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for losses, second on the team in both categories.

“Size, speed,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in summing up the Texas defense.

“They’re the complete package on defense," Smart said. "The consistency you watch them play with, it reminds me of some of our best teams here.”By any measure, from the official statistics to the informal eye test, top-ranked Texas' defense has been dominant.