Milwaukee Brewers make trade with Orioles for international signing bonus slots

The Milwaukee Brewers have gone back to the Baltimore Orioles to expand their international signing bonus slot space. Earlier this year the Brewers sent Damien Magnifico to the Orioles for nearly $900K worth of bonus pool slots. Last night, the two teams made another deal for international pool money:

Baltimore announced the deal but it’s not currently clear how much money the Brewers will be receiving. The Brewers were slotted to be able to spend $5.25 million in international bonuses while the Orioles could spend $5.75 million. After inking 15 international free agents in the days after the signing period signed on July 2nd, the Brewers had nearly used up their whole bonus pool, so this trade should allow David Stearns and company some more flexibility on the international market going forward. The Orioles don’t typically pursue the international free agency route as a way to bring in prospects, so they typically trade away a good chunk of their pool each year.

Heading to the Orioles is 23-year-old righty Aaron Myers. Myers has spent his season with single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He currently holds a 4.37 ERA and has pitched mostly in long relief. He signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

Also worth noting is that the Brew Crew cut ties with David Burkhalter, who was an intriguing 6th round pick back in 2014 under Bruce Seid’s regime. He appeared to be on his well on his to a breakout season with the Timber Rattlers back in 2016, but shoulder surgery derailed his career. He got back on the mound this year but struggled to a 6.75 ERA/5.52 FIP in 32.0 innings pitched.

Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs