Osuna Matata: Bring Back Our Closer.

On October 29th, the Houston Astros announced that they would be waiving closing pitcher Roberto Osuna. Due to Tommy John surgery early in the season, Osuna would only make four appearances in the shortened season, which will likely end up being the last appearances for Osuna as a member of the Astros. He is unlikely to pitch in the 2021 season, and after a year where every team saw significant revenue cuts, Houston considered him an unnecessary cost going into the next season, leaving him exposed on the waiver wire.

The Blue Jays traded Osuna to the Astros for Ken Giles, David Paulino, and Hector Perez after Osuna was hit with assault charges midseason in 2018. He didn’t give the team much of an option considering the league precedent with players who found themselves in similar scenarios in years prior. Despite being an ideal piece for the team’s young future core, the Jays moved on. However, it might just be time for the team to forgive and forget.

With Giles going down with a huge injury, the Jays closer role is back up for grabs, and although he might miss the entire 2021 season, Osuna seems to fit the bill. With the team built around players in their early 20s, signing a closer heading into his age 26 season is a fantastic fit. He would return in his age 27 year, just entering his prime in the Blue Jays first full “all in” season (2023). He could serve as the team closer for several years, holding down the bullpen just like Jays fans are used to seeing.

During his time with the Astros, Osuna only got better. After the trade in 2018, Osuna pitched to a 1.99 ERA with the team to finish the season over 22.2 innings. In his first full season with the team in 2019, the former all-star led the league with 38 saves while pitching to a 2.63 ERA alongside a sub 1.000 WHIP for the fifth consecutive year, proving himself to be one of the most dominant closers in the league. Over the 65.0 innings he pitched that year, he punched out 73 while only walking 12. He continued his dominance in 2020 by starting the year off with a 2.08 ERA over 4.1 innings before injuries ended his season.

Osuna is undoubtedly a player the Astros would’ve loved to keep, but after his significant injury and the league wide revenue dips, the team had no other choice than to let him walk, leaving the Blue Jays with a golden opportunity.

In his career with Toronto, Osuna was one of the best closers the team has seen, accumulating 104 saves with a 2.87 ERA through 223.0 innings pitched (221 games) over the span of four seasons, one of which he was an all-star. Had “the incident” not arisen, he would likely have remained a Blue Jay today. Fortunately, the team has another chance now.

With Osuna out the entire 2021 season, the Jays would need to take a risk in signing Osuna to a multi year deal. His market value is low right now, meaning he will likely settle for a contract on the cheaper side, but it is never clear how athletes will come out after such a significant injury, with some being stronger than ever before, and others careers going up in flames. Toronto would likely have to settle for a deal around the 3 year mark in the range of $7 million a year (although that could end up being lower due decreased revenue streams in 2020). It wouldn’t be a high risk contact for the team as it is a fair salary, and yet two healthy years give the team enough benefit and incentive to make the offer.

If Osuna were to return to Toronto, he would come at the perfect time. Upon his 2023 return, Guerrero will be in his 23 season, Bichette age 24, Biggio 27, Pearson 25. Hernandez, Gurriel, McGuire, Jansen, Tellez, Borucki, Kay, Thornton, Romano, and others would still be in their 20s, and there would be a good chance that prospects like Groshans, Martin, and Manoah will be major league contributors. In the 2023 and 2024 season, Osuna will still only be 27 and 28, making him a perfect fit for the young squad. Although Osuna might not be ready to contribute in the 2021 campaign, it might just be too good an opportunity to pass up.

Regularly someone like Osuna would be a no doubt target for the team given the perfect fit, but considering his past with the team, the interest is presently unknown. Currently Osuna is on waivers, so the team may simply be able to claim him and sign him long term if no higher priority team claims him first. If he slips through however, he will be able to elect free agency, where the Jays will have the opportunity to act once again. No matter how they get him, waivers or free agency, a three year deal seems mutually beneficial, and this move could end up a huge win for the Jays.