The Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants completed a minor transaction this week, with Miami acquiring catching prospect Carlos Martinez in exchange for international bonus pool space.

Both organizations confirmed the move, which did not require a corresponding roster decision since Martinez was not part of the Giants’ 40-man roster.

While the exact amount of international pool money involved was not disclosed, the deal reflects the strategic flexibility teams have under Major League Baseball’s international signing system.

Each club is assigned a set pool allotment annually to sign international amateur players, with smaller-market teams generally receiving larger pools in an effort to promote competitive balance.

Teams are permitted to trade pool space in increments of $250,000, though no organization can exceed a 60 percent increase over its original allotment.

Miami entered the current international signing period with one of the larger pools in the league, giving the Marlins the ability to leverage surplus flexibility in exchange for additional prospects.

San Francisco, meanwhile, began with one of the smallest pools, a result of exceeding the competitive balance tax and signing a qualified free agent prior to the 2025 season.

The Giants committed a significant portion of their pool early by signing Venezuelan shortstop Luis Hernandez to a $5 million bonus, the largest individual bonus in the international class.

That aggressive approach limited their remaining spending power, making additional pool space valuable as they look to round out their international class with complementary signings.

Martinez, 18, was signed by San Francisco during the most recent international period for a modest bonus and spent the 2025 season in the Dominican Summer League.

He appeared in 27 games and showed raw tools behind the plate, though his offensive production was limited as he adjusted to professional competition.

Miami will now take on the developmental project, adding depth at a premium defensive position within its farm system.

For the Marlins, the acquisition fits a familiar pattern of prioritizing long-term upside and accumulating young talent, even in lower-profile moves.

While Martinez is not considered a top-tier prospect, catchers with professional experience are often viewed as worthwhile investments given the position’s scarcity.

This marks the second consecutive year Miami and San Francisco have partnered on a trade involving international pool space.

Last season’s deal saw the Giants send right-hander William Kempner to the Marlins in a similar exchange, a move that ultimately helped Kempner work his way onto Miami’s 40-man roster.

Though small in scale, the transaction highlights how international bonus pool flexibility continues to shape roster-building strategies across the league.

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