Roki Sasaki News: Blue Jays Acquire International Bonus Pool Money, Increase Advantage Over Dodgers

The Toronto Blue Jays made a trade Friday morning, acquiring outfielder Myles Straw and international bonus pool money from the Cleveland Guardians.

More news: Padres Appear to Be Out of Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes Leaving Dodgers, Blue Jays: Report

The Blue Jays, who already had about $1 million more than the Los Angeles Dodgers to offer Roki Sasaki, will now have a significant advantage over L.A. in the amount of money they can offer the 23-year-old pitcher from their international bonus pool.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays are acquiring another $2 million. That pushes their total to a little more than $8.2 million, while the Dodgers have $5.1 million.

Sasaki, an amateur free agent, can only be signed to a minor league deal with international bonus pool money as the signing bonus.

It’s unclear if the Blue Jays are doing this because they’re confident in their chances to land Sasaki, or if they just want to be prepared in case he chooses them.

Nevertheless, it’s a major development on Friday morning as Sasaki nears a decision.

Sasaki has until Jan. 23 to sign with an MLB team. On Friday, it was reported that the San Diego Padres were eliminated, leaving just the Blue Jays and Dodgers.

More Roki Sasaki News:

Tyler Glasnow Spoke to Roki Sasaki On the Phone in Attempt to Recruit him to Dodgers

When Will Roki Sasaki Sign With Dodgers, Padres, or Blue Jays? Everything We Know on His Timeline

Dodgers Discussing Multiple Trades to Add International Bonus Pool Money for Roki Sasaki: Report

Dodgers ‘Optimistic’ About Their Chances to Sign Roki Sasaki: Report

MLB Analyst Says There’s a ‘0 Percent Chance’ Dodgers Don’t Sign Roki Sasaki

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