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 Blue Jays are adding another chapter to their book of “almosts” when it comes to signing free agents, as they watched 23-year-old Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki choose the Los Angeles Dodgers as his first MLB home.

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

Early Friday, the Blue Jays swung a deal with the Guardians to add another $2 million in international bonus pool space, setting the stage for what felt like the final push for Japanese star Roki Sasaki.

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Myles Straw in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Toronto received Straw, $3.75 million US cash considerations and $2 million in international signing bonus pool space for the 2025 period from Cleveland, which received a player to be named later or cash considerations.

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.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report identified Cleveland's biggest hole as their rotation depth. One veteran he's urging the Guardians to sign to fill this need is LHP Ryan Yarbrough. "Yarbrough has been a successful swingman throughout his career, so he can fill a bulk relief role and wait in the wings for when a rotation need arises," wrote Reuter.

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the Toronto Blue Jays, they hit another new low yesterday.

If you’ve been to a Buffalo Bills game, odds are you’ve loudly sung “Mr. Brightside.” Robby Takac from The Goo Goo Dolls told me there’s just one problem with the song; it’s not by a Buffalo band.