Baltimore Orioles add Dwight Smith Jr for international bonus money

The Baltimore Orioles traded more international bonus money on Friday, but they added a piece that could help the roster this season.

For the third time in the past two weeks, the Baltimore Orioles have traded away part of their international signing pool money. It may seem like business as usual for Baltimore, but at this point, there really is not much available. Rather than lose that money, it certainly would behoove the organization to spend it in a way that can benefit them in the future.

As such, on Friday, the Orioles did just that. They sent $500,000, a fairly significant sum, to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Dwight Smith Jr.

Although he did not have much of a chance with the Blue Jays, Smith performed reasonably well in his limited time. He posted a respectable .293/.365/.467 batting line over his 104 plate appearances, hitting ten doubles and two homers. Smith has also displayed a respectable batting eye, with eight walks and 23 strikeouts.

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This matches his profile in the minors. Across his seven minor league seasons, Smith has a solid .268/.344/.402 batting line, with 150 doubles, 59 homers, and 74 steals. Capable of playing anywhere in the outfield, he possesses a decent amount of power and speed, making him an intriguing addition.

There are certainly opportunities available in Baltimore. Trey Mancini is fairly well entrenched in the Orioles lineup, with top prospect Cedric Mullins slated to start in center. However, right field currently has Joey Rickard listed as the starter. Rickard may be better suited to a fourth outfielder role, giving Smith his chance to seize a starting role.

The Baltimore Orioles have made a move for the present and future, as they have acquired Dwight Smith Jr.from the Toronto Blue jays for international signing bonus money. If there is no one there to spend the money on in the international signing pool, they may as well land a player that could benefit them going forward.