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Jays add Straw, cash for Sasaki in Guardians deal

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays acquired $2 million in international signing bonus pool allocation from the Cleveland Guardians that could be used in their pursuit of Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki as part of a trade Friday that also brought underperforming outfielder Myles Straw to Toronto.
Cleveland will send $3.75 million to the Blue Jays, offsetting some of the $14.75 million Straw is guaranteed for the final two years of a $25 million, five-year contract. The Guardians will receive a player to be named or cash.
Toronto boosted its international signing pool to $8,261,600 and had not signed any players since the 2025 window opened Wednesday, leaving the entire amount available for Sasaki.
Also being being pursued by the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the 23-year-old right-hander has until Thursday to reach agreement with a Major League Baseball team. He is considered an international amateur by MLB and can sign only a minor league contract subject to the same bonus pools as Latin American prospects.
Straw has salaries of $6 million this year and $7 million in 2026 and is guaranteed a $1.75 million buyout of a 2027 team option. Cleveland will send Toronto $1 million this year, $1 million in 2026 and $1.75 million at the end of 2026.
Cleveland agreed to the long-term deal in April 2022 but Straw hit just .221 with no homers, 32 RBIs and 21 stolen bases that year, then batted .238 with 1 homer, 29 RBIs and 20 steals in 2023.
He was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus in April and hit .240 with 3 homers, 47 RBIs and 30 steals. Cleveland brought him up in September, and he went 1-for-4 over seven games.
'I have my own weapons' - how 5ft 4in Paolini uses height to her advantage

I've heard that one of the most popular things which comes up next to my name in internet searches is 'height'.
That's because I'm 5ft 4in. It's pretty unique because most of the players on the WTA Tour at the moment are a lot taller.
I heard that the average height of the players currently in the top 10 is about 5ft 10in. I'm also told that I am the smallest player in the top 20.
But it's not something I worry about - I just try to play my tennis and concentrate on my game.
Being smaller means I have different weapons to a taller player. We work with what we have, you know!
I move pretty well on court and people generally say that is my biggest strength.
Ever since I was a child I have been quick and nimble.
I remember being at the tennis club when I was young and doing some training sessions where we did sprinting drills. I was one of the fastest then.

In the past year, there have been examples of Swiatek struggling against aggressive baseliners like Raducanu - notably in her Australian Open exit 12 months ago.
Czech Linda Noskova, then 19, ramped up the power and that paid dividends in a three-set comeback win.
Afterwards, Swiatek said she had felt "stressed" and "uncomfortable" at being unable to adapt.
However, she has appeared to learn from that experience.
Overcoming difficulties against Japan's four-time major winner Naomi Osaka at the French Open and Britain's Katie Boulter at the recent United Cup match indicated her progress at problem-solving against this type of player.
On both occasions, Swiatek initially tried to match her opponent for pace and the increased speed on her groundstrokes led to a series of unforced errors.
Once she stopped trying to outhit them, hitting loopier returns instead of flatter ones, each contest swung her way.
Nevertheless, you would imagine Raducanu needs to be aggressive from the baseline rather than simply counter-punching to give herself a chance.
Draper to play Alcaraz after another five-set epic

When the Briton clinched the first set against Vukic in 30 minutes, it seemed like a more straightforward night would lie ahead.
Vukic, a 28-year-old late bloomer playing in the third round of a major for the first time, caused damage with his forehand but did not have the consistency to turn an early break into a lead.
Draper fought back with the help of some explosive hitting, including a running forehand winner around the net post which drew gasps from the crowd.
However, Draper's level plummeted in the second and third sets as Vukic turned the match around.
Smashing a racquet on the court, and having a pop at the booing fans, allowed a tense Draper to let off some steam before the fourth.
A tight set produced more shots from both men worthy of the match highlights reel, including a precise inside-out forehand across the court and a backhand volley from Vukic which saved two set points.
Draper continued to move forward in the court more at the start of the decider, helping him pinch an early break.
Vukic, who was also taken the distance for a third straight match, fed off the crowd energy to recover again.
The first-to-10 match tie-break was a fitting end to settle the contest and Draper, having led 3-0 and trailed 6-5, placed an unreturned first serve down the middle on his second match point.
"It was an unbelievably tough match. Both of us have played a lot of sets already so I knew it would be hard. It was a lot of ebbs and flows," said Draper.
"I thought it was done and he came back from the dead. It was a great battle and two competitors going at it. That's what sport is all about."
Rising British squash star Jonah Bryant falls short in Canada

While another rising British racket sport talent, Jack Draper, was going through give-gamers at the Australian Open tennis, Jonah Bryant was doing the same in squash.
Bryant was involved in an epic five-game duel with Tarek Momen at the Squash in the Land 2025 quarter-finals, which saw the 19-year-old push both the Egyptian and his own body to the limits.
Bryant had needed all five games to win each of his first two matches in Cleveland this week, spending almost two-and-a-half hours on court in beating Bernat Jaume and Leonel Cardenas, last years two finalists in this event.
His win over Cardenas had seen him save two match balls at 10-8 down in the fifth, setting up a mouthwatering matchup with No.3 seed Momen on the all-glass court at Playhouse Square Outcalt Theatre.
The 19-year-old is one of the most exciting prospects in the mens game but through the first two games, it appeared as though this would be a step too far, as Momen established a two game lead, doing the basics well throughout and making the court big for his opponent.
What a rally
The Cleveland crowd are being teated to some special points in the final match of the day #SquashintheLand pic.twitter.com/ZFxSgykxIc
PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) January 17, 2025
Those inside the theatre could have been forgiven for thinking Bryant was feeling the physical effects of his two previous encounters, but instead he appeared to get stronger as the match wore on, showing extraordinary athleticism on his way to levelling the score by winning games three and four.
By the time game five started, the crowd was cheering every point Bryant won, sitting in silence during the rallies, gripped by the action on court.
Almost every rally was long and punishing, with Bryant continuing to chase down Momens attacks, but he would ultimately fall short of completing a fairytale fightback.
Still, even at 10-7 down and cramping badly, Bryant left everything out on the court, ultimately collapsing to the floor in exhaustion as Momen closed out victory.
The total match time was 77 minutes, taking Bryants time on court this week towards the four-hour mark, and speaking on court after his win, Momen was full of praise for his young opponent.
I cant believe what he was doing, coming back the way he did after those two tough matches, he said on court afterwards.
I think this is the hardest match Ive played physically in a long time. I either lose quicker than this or win quicker than this but I havent played for this long in a while.
Im very happy with the way I managed to re-group in the end. I thought I was playing super well in the first two games, and then my length dropped significantly and I was very disappointed with that.
The length just wasnt going back the way I wanted and he took full advantage coming back at me, but I still couldnt believe the amount of effort he kept putting on court.
Earlier in the day, Mohamed Elshorbagy impressed in a 3-0 win over Youssef Ibrahim, while Amina Orfi came from a game down to beat compatriot Farida Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Satomi Watanabe upset No.1 seed Georgina Kennedy to reach the Squash in the Land 2025 semi-finals, while Tarek Momen held off a stirring fightback from rising star Jonah Bryant in the mens competition.
Despite the two players being separated by just six spots in the world rankings, Watanabe had never even taken a game off Kennedy in their three previous Tour meetings, but she ended that streak at the first time of asking here, taking the opening game 11-9.
Results: Mens Quarter-Finals (top half)
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bt. [5] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 (36m)
[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt. Jonah Bryant (ENG) 3-2: 11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-13, 11-7 (77m)
Results: Womens Quarter-Finals (top half)
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt. [6] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (48m)
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt. [1] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 (35m)
Fixtures: Mens Quarter-Finals (bottom half)
George Parker (ENG) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) v [7] Abdulla Mohd Al-Tamimi (QAT)
Fixtures: Womens Quarter-Finals (bottom half)
[8] Tesni Murphy (WAL) v [2] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
[4] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [7] Nada Abbas (EGY)

Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Belaubre, Simone, Raka; Belleau, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fainga'a, Ala'Alatoa, Simmons, Yato, Tixeront, Kremer, Lee (capt).
Replacements: Falgoux, Massa, Ojovan, Ceyte, Fischer, Bezy, Urdapilleta, Tauzin.
Bristol Bears: Lane; Heward, Jenkins, Van Rensburg, Bailey; Byrne, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Dun, Owen, Luatua, Grondona, Harding (capt).
Replacements: Thacker, Thomas, Lahiff, Barker, Mata, Marmion, Ravouvou, Elizalde.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Keenan returns for Leinster as Cokanasiga hits century

Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan will return to action for Leinster against Bath in Saturday's final Invstec Champions Cup Pool Two match.
Unbeaten Leinster have already qualified for the last-16 and can secure a home knockout tie with victory over the Premiership leaders at the Aviva Stadium.
Wing Joe Cokanasiga will win his 100th cap for Bath, who are third in the Pool and know victory will secure progression, although even defeat could be enough if other results go their way.
Keenan's return is a welcome boost for Ireland with the Six Nations two weeks away, as head coach Leo Cullen makes five changes from the win over La Rochelle.
Garry Ringrose starts on the wing to accommodate the centre pairing of Robbie Henhsaw and All Black Jordie Barrett.
There are two changes in the front row as Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani start, while Tadhg Furlong drops out of the squad after making his return from injury against the French side.
Jack Conan will captain the side from number eight, with Caelan Doris dropping to the bench.
Although they have returned to training, Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan and wing James Lowe miss out on selection.
It is a landmark weekend for Cokanasiga as he prepares for his 100th Bath appearance, while second row Ross Molony will face his former side in one of three changes from Sunday's win over Clermont.
The other changes come in the front row as hooker Niall Annett and prop Will Stuart get the nod to start in Dublin.
Ben Spencer will captain Bath from scrum-half and will be partnered by Scotland's talisman Finn Russell.
Leinster: Keenan; Ringrose; Henshaw, Barrett; J Osborne, Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Slimani; J McCarthy, Ryan; Deegan, van der Flier, Conan (capt).
Replacements: G McCarthy, Healy, Clarkson, Snyman, Doris, McGrath, R Byrne, J O'Brien.
Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga; Lawrence, Ojomoh; McConnochi; Russell, Spencer; Obano, Annett, Stuart; Roux, Molony; Hill, Reid, Barbeary.
Replacements: Dunn, van Wyk, du Toit, Ewels, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Coetzee.
England and Leicester winger Watson retires on medical grounds

Watson moved to Leicester from Premiership rivals Bath in 2022 and managed just 23 appearances for the East Midlands club during the injury-plagued latter years of his career.
Leicester described the winger as "one of the most electrifying rugby talents of his generation" as well as "one of English rugby's modern greats".
Watson, who spent nine years with Bath after first coming through at London Irish, last featured for the national side in the summer of 2023.
England head coach Steve Borthwick, who Watson also played under at Tigers, said the player "is to be congratulated on a fantastically successful career".
"He is a humble, hard-working professional man who is universally liked and admired in the game," Borthwick said.
"Anthony not only brought his incredible talent to the England shirt every time he played, but he was also a player who was immensely proud to represent his country."
'I knew I was in so much pain' - Watson on retirement realisation

He was limited to just 23 appearances for Tigers in his two and a half years with the East Midlands club.
But in nine years and 126 games with Bath before that he had solidified himself as one of the Premiership's most dazzling and high-profile performers.
For England, his 23 tries in 56 appearances has seen him described as a "modern great".
"It's hard to say I've dealt with it already, because I haven't," Watson, who started his career at London Irish, said of his retirement.
"But what gives me peace of mind is knowing I did everything I could do. It's the way the cookie crumbles, it's not like I can go back and change what happened.
"You just have to move on - everyone's career ends at some point, you can't play forever. Mine was just a bit shorter than I'd have liked."
He said his retirement was not "a sob story" and would reflect on his time as a player with a smile and look to the future knowing he was physically protecting himself.
"I really enjoyed my career and played a long time," he said.
"I would have taken all the things that I have done in my career and retiring at 30 if you told me this at 19.
"My body will carry a significant amount of deficiencies as a result of playing rugby, but I think stopping now allows me to do the basic things I need to do as a dad, as a husband and as a son."

STATESVILLE, N.C. AM Racing has announced Dead On Tools, one of the worlds fastest-growing hardware and storage gear brands, will support Harrison Burton for multiple events throughout the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
The sponsorship begins with the season-opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway.
Dead On Tools is headquartered in the Midwest and distributes professional tools and work gear products throughout North America.
AM Racing announced last September the addition of Burton, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series winner of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway to drive for the team in its third full-time season of competition this year.
I am stocked about the partnership with Dead On Tools this season, Burton said. Everyone has worked extremely hard this offseason to prepare for this years NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
With their support, we believe we have all the tools we need both on and off the track to succeed. Their commitment to excellence matches the passion and determination of our team, and were ready to make this a season to remember.
Here at Dead On Tools, we are always looking to push the boundaries of innovation and excitement, said Brian Ranallo, Director of Sales & Marketing for Dead On Tools. Harrison not only matches that energy, but he excels on and off the track. We couldnt be more excited to partner with Harrison and AM Racing for the 2025 season and looking forward to many trips to victory lane.
Wade Moore, president of AM Racing, added, Its been an extremely productive offseason. Weve made changes that we believe will make the 2025 season a year to remember. Im incredibly proud of our entire team.
We are thrilled about the addition of Harrison and AM Racing is grateful to kick off our new relationship in Daytona with an anchor partner like Dead On Tools, who continues to increase its support and dedication to the sport.