Astros acquire Osuna, M’s acquire Duke

The Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners each acquired relief pitchers today, with the Astros getting Roberto Osuna, currently serving a suspension for domestic abuse, in a package that includes Ken Giles, while the M’s get Zach Duke.

The Astros had been linked to Rangers closer Keone Kela, and the deal for Osuna would presumably take them out of that mix. Houston had sent Ken Giles to the minors, and the Jays now can look to straighten Giles out while foisting a player who is a p.r. problem on the Astros. Houston will now get to explain why going out and adding an abuser is a good thing.

Duke, meanwhile, cost the M’s just Chase DeJong, a low-K RHP in AA, and Ryan Costello, a 22 year old 1B in low-A who was a 31st round pick last year. The acquisition of the lefty Duke (at a rather nominal cost to Seattle) would seem to make them unlikely to be in the mix for Jake Diekman.

UPDATE — Houston is also giving up pitchers David Paulino and Hector Perez.