Blue Jays trade Roberto Osuna to the Astros for Ken Giles, prospects David Paulino, Hector Perez

This afternoon the Toronto Blue Jays traded right-handed pitcher and domestic abuser Roberto Osuna to the Houston Astros for right-handed pitcher Ken Giles and a pair of minor league prospects: right-handers David Paulino and Hector Perez. Here’s a quick look at the two newest members of the Jays system.

David Paulino, RHP: Paulino was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers out of the Dominican Republic in 2010: he came to Houston in the 2013 Jose Veras deal. He reached the majors briefly in 2016 and 2017 but was suspended for PED usage last summer. This year he’s seen limited action while recovering from elbow surgery to remove bone chips last fall but has thrown 27 innings between rookie ball rehab and Triple-A, posting a 4.67 ERA with a 33/6 K/BB.

Paulino is 24-year-old, listed at 6-7, 220. When he’s right he can hit 95-98 MPH while mixing in a plus curveball and change-up. His control is usually sharp and his arsenal is diverse enough for him to start but he has a long track record of physical issues and has never pitched more than 90 innings in a season.

Hector Perez, RHP: The Astros signed Perez out of the Dominican Republic in 2014. He opened 2018 in High-A, with a 3.84 ERA in 73 innings and an 83/40 K/BB leading to a Double-A promotion a few weeks ago. He’s made two relief appearances and two starts for Corpus Christi, posting a 3.24 ERA with an 18/8 K/BB in 16.2 innings.

Perez is 22-years-old, listed at 6-3, 190. Like Paulino he’s got impressive stuff, up to 98 with the fastball while mixing in a splitter, slider, and curve. His control is not as good as Paulino’s but Perez seems more durable and his stuff is just as nasty, if not slightly better.

ASSESSMENT: Osuna is enormously talented of course but now carries enormous baggage that the Blue Jays understandably did not want on their roster. Giles is a retread project at this point but both Paulino and Perez are very promising arms. I think this is a good deal for the Jays.