Prior to their 2017 World Series rematch at Dodger Stadium over the weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros were each busy on the trade front, completing multiple deals in the final weeks of July to further bolster their respective rosters for the stretch run.
The Dodgers, of course, landed the summer’s biggest prize in Manny Machado, while additionally adding another All-Star infielder, Brian Dozier, to the fold. The club also swung a trade for veteran reliever John Axford to complement its existing relief corps.
The Astros had similar intentions on improving their bullpen, but took a controversial route in doing so by acquiring Roberto Osuna from the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander, facing charges for assaulting his girlfriend, was previously suspended 75 games this season after violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.
To no surprise, Houston’s decision to take a flier on Osuna has garnered condemnation from around the league. Among the critics include Dodgers southpaw Alex Wood, who is curious to see if the Astros’ clubhouse will be accepting of the 23-year-old, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“If that organization can accept the backlash from trading for someone in that situation, that’s for them to deal with,” Wood said. “It’s hard to speak on the clubhouse aspect of it without ever dealing with that situation, but I’m sure it will be an interesting part of the rest of their season for sure.”
Likewise, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is unsure if Osuna deserves a second chance considering the severity of his actions. No matter the outcome of his case, the all-time Dodgers saves leader is pleased that the organization has shown a reluctance in acquiring players with similar accusations, per Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times:
“I understand wanting to give someone a second chance, but for domestic violence?” said Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen. “We’ve never experienced that here, and we hope that never, ever happens here.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Dodgers were never connected to Osuna in trade rumors prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline, despite his undeniable talent as one of the game’s top closers.
It was just three offseasons ago when the Dodgers backed out of a trade to acquire flamethrower Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds after he, too, was under investigation for domestic violence.
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