This weekend, the Cleveland Guardians pulled off a jaw-dropping trade. They agreed to send outfielder Myles Straw, $2 million in international bonus slot money, and $3.75 million to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Blue Jays paid $11 million for a replacement-level player, because they thought it would help them get Roki Sasaki.

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.

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.

The recent trade between the Cleveland Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays could hold weight as Roki Sasaki nears a decision.

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Myles Straw in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Straw follows through against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

The Toronto Blue Jays are in talks with a free agent outfielder who was an All-Star in 2024 on a busy day for transactions north of the border.

The Toronto Blue Jays have missed out on yet another big-name free agent, losing out on pitcher Roki Sasaki as he chose to sign a contract with the Los Angeles

They didn’t hold a dance-off at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday. If they did, the unlikely winners would have been the Pittsburgh Pirates trio of team president Travis Williams, general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton.

Rōki Sasaki may have taken a pay cut in order to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The San Diego Padres were willing to offer Sasaki more than $10