Blue Jays Acquire Myles Straw, International Bonus Pool

The Toronto Blue Jays made a strategic move by acquiring outfielder Myles Straw from the Cleveland Guardians, along with $3.75 million and $2 million in international signing bonus pool space, to enhance their chances of signing prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. Despite this effort, Sasaki ultimately chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving the Blue Jays disappointed after their significant investment in international pool space. Straw, a Gold Glove Award winner in 2022, brings defensive skills to the team, although he spent most of the 2023 season in Triple-A and only played seven games in the majors last year. The Blue Jays now have a total of $8.26 million in bonus pool space, surpassing the Dodgers' $5.1 million. The Guardians are keen to offload Straw's contract, which includes guaranteed salaries totaling $13.8 million over two years. This trade reflects both teams' differing agendas as they navigate the complexities of roster building and international signings.