Toronto acquired $2 million in international signing bonus pool allocation from the Cleveland Guardians that could be used in its pursuit of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki as part of a trade that also brought underperforming outfielder Myles Straw to the Blue Jays.

The transaction, announced by the Guardians on X, also includes the transfer of international bonus pool space to Toronto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Myles Straw, a Gold Glove centerfielder for Cleveland in 2022, is a Guardian no more. Straw, 30, was traded to Toronto Friday for a player to be named later. He only played 7 games for Cleveland last season, spending most of the year at AAA Columbus.

Myles Straw is the latest Cleveland Guardians star departing Ohio, as the outfielder was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

The Blue Jays acquired Myles Straw, cash, and international bonus pool space from the Guardians. Cleveland gets a PTBNL or cash. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

Cleveland agreed to a long-term deal in April 2022 with Straw, but he hit just .221 with no homers, 32 RBIs and 21 stolen bases that year, then batted .238 with one homer, 29 RBIs and 20 steals in 2023.

The Toronto Blue Jays laid some groundwork for a potential Roki Sasaki signing, acquiring international bonus pool room from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.

The push to sign Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki is on, with the Toronto Blue Jays adding to their international signing bonus pool following Friday’s trade with the Cleveland Guardians.

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Myles Straw from the Cleveland Guardians yesterday afternoon along with $3.75 million in cash and $2 million in international bonus pool money.

Toronto received Straw, cash considerations and international signing bonus pool space for the 2025 period from Cleveland, which received a player to be named later or cash considerations

This is the second trade this offseason, which has given the Guardians future payroll flexibility. Following the Straw trade, it's time the front office took advantage of that. There are two areas in which the Guardians could re-invest this money.