A crucial pickup at the trade deadline often galvanizes a major league clubhouse, energizing players appreciative that their front office went the extra mile in an effort to win a championship. Yet when that player is Roberto Osuna - still under suspension from Major League Baseball for violating its domestic violence policy - and the acquiring team is the Houston Astros, the mood is far from celebratory. Astros pitchers Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers tweeted their disgust earlier this year when surveillance video emerged of a former Astros minor leaguer assaulting his girlfriend. Osuna, 23, is one of the game's best relievers and fills a closer role that was vacated with Ken Giles' poor performance. But he is serving a 75-game suspension that he quickly accepted after a May incident with a woman that resulted in criminal assault charges. He's expected to plead not guilty in Toronto on Wednesday. Verlander, to say the least, does not sound pleased with the pickup, and said he was not among the players general manager Jeff Luhnow consulted before making the trade. "It's a tough situation," Verlander said, per MLB.com, his enthusiasm level more matching that of breaking down a late-inning loss than the acquisition of a potentially dominant final piece to a World Series champion. "I think the thing for us to remember here is that the details have not come to light. We don’t know the whole story. "Obviously, I’ve said some pretty inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past. I stand by those words." Verlander said he wasn't surprised Luhnow did not consult him, noting that not everyone in a clubhouse gets a say on any deal and that "it was his decision" to acquire Osuna. The club held a team meeting before Monday's game at Seattle; it was, as Verlander put it, "about us keeping a winning mindset and not letting distractions get in the way." Once again – do these sound like the words of a trade deadline winner? At 67-40, with a four-game lead in the American League West, the Astros are a solid bet to return to the postseason, and with a half-dozen charismatic All-Stars, enjoyed excellent chemistry. Perhaps Osuna - who will address the team upon his arrival - won't disrupt that. The tone from one of the Astros' biggest stars seems to indicate that's not worth the risk. "I just want to listen," Verlander said. "We don’t know the details of much. I haven’t really paid attention to (Osuna's case), for obvious reasons – it wasn’t really in my life. "Now it is. That’s probably going to be a personal thing that stays in the locker room and won’t be talked about publicly, as those things are."<doc-sep>It could be an interesting clubhouse dynamic in Houston. Justin Verlander says he's willing to listen, but the Astros just acquired a player currently suspended for violating MLB's domestic violence policy, with the hope that he could help them win a second consecutive World Series. It was Verlander's job to get Houston over the hump last October. Just don't expect him to welcome closer Roberto Osuna with open arms. "It's a tough situation," Verlander told MLB.com, clearly less than enthused. "I think the thing for us to remember here is that the details have not come to light. We don't know the whole story. "Obviously, I've said some pretty inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past. I stand by those words." Justin Verlander on Roberto Osuna: "The thing for us to remember here, is that the details haven’t come to light ... Obviously, I’ve said some pretty inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past and I stand by my words." 🎥: @brianmctaggart pic.twitter.com/L3VxV90qel — Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) July 31, 2018 Verlander didn't have much tolerance for a former teammate back in March. Now the focus is on Osuna, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays and currently finishing up a 75-game suspension. He is expected to plead not guilty in Toronto on Monday from an incident that happened in May. And in addition to facing the court, he'll have to face Verlander and his new teammates.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Carlos Correa shares thoughts on Roberto Osuna trade EMBED >More News Videos Justin Verlander shares thoughts on Roberto Osuna trade EMBED >More News Videos AJ Hinch shares thoughts on Roberto Osuna trade EMBED >More News Videos AJ Hinch shares thoughts on Roberto Osuna trade HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Monday afternoon saw the Astros ship Ken Giles to the Toronto Blue Jays in return for Roberto Osuna. The trade has not sat well with many as Osuna is bringing baggage to the clubhouse.Osuna is coming to Houston towards the conclusion of a 75-game suspension for domestic violence. Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow admitted in a conference call that the Astros don't have the full details of Osuna's case.Carlos Correa said he is excited for Osuna's fit in terms of on-field talent. He said Osuna is one of the elite closers. When asked about Osuna's case and upcoming court date, Correa said it is difficult to speak on the situation. "It's just really hard to discuss about the subject when you don't know what happened," Correa said.Justin Verlander said the most important factor in this situation is not having the full details released yet. Verlander voiced his opinions on Twitter when video surfaced of Astros prospect Danny Vasquez abusing his girlfriend. "I've said some pretty inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past, and I stand by my words," Verlander said. He said he thinks Osuna plans to talk with his new teammates once he arrives and will take it from there.Manager A.J. Hinch said because not all information has been released, he can only rely on the words of former teammates and coaches for now. "Once he gets here, from that day moving forward, we're gonna welcome him on our team," Hinch said. Hinch also said he has spoken with John Gibbons, manager of the Blue Jays, and received good words on Osuna. He said it would be disrespectful for either him or Gibbons to draw conclusions on something they don't have full knowledge of.From a baseball perspective, Hinch said the trade makes perfect sense due to Osuna's ability. Osuna has nine saves in 15 appearances this season.Hinch said the team focuses hard on who plays for the Astros. He said he informed the team that Osuna will arrive once the Astros touch down in Los Angeles for a series with the Dodgers, a World Series rematch.Hinch said he has spoke to Osuna, saying Osuna was excited about the trade and showed gratitude. He said Osuna will pitch with the Astros' minor league team sometime between now and Friday.<doc-sep>
When a video of a former Astros prospect hitting his girlfriend hit the internet back in March, Justin Verlander held nothing back. “I hope the rest of your life without baseball is horrible,” Verlander tweeted then, adding a middle-finger emoji. “You deserve all that is coming your way.” So, Houston trading for Roberto Osuna, whose 75-game suspension for domestic violence ends Sunday, creates a less-than-ideal situation for Verlander. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow justified the move by saying the front office did “unprecedented” due diligence and that Osuna is now remorseful. Verlander held back from excusing what Osuna is alleged to have done while taking a less firm line than he did in March. “It’s a tough situation,” Verlander told reporters. “I think the thing for us to remember here is that the details have not come to light. We don’t know the whole story. Obviously, I’ve said some pretty inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past. I stand by those words.” “… I just want to listen. We don’t know the details of much. I haven’t paid attention to [Osuna’s legal case] for obvious reasons — it wasn’t really in my life. Now it is. That’s probably going to be a personal thing that stays in the locker room and won’t be talked about publicly, as those things are.” The case is still ongoing. Osuna, who was charged with violence against a woman, is set to appear in court and reportedly plans to plead not guilty on Wednesday. He is expected to address the Astros upon arrival.