Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette wants to make two things clear about Monday’s trade that sent $750,000 in international bonus slots to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league infielder Jack Zoellner.



One, the Orioles liked Zoellner. A lot. They scouted him this summer while putting an intense spotlight on the Phillies’ farm system and Duquette believes Zoellner adds an element of plate discipline that the organization needs and covets.



Secondly, the decision to trade international bonus slots is not contrary to the club’s message from earlier this summer that it is putting an emphasis on international development. On the contrary, Duquette says, this is exactly what he said he would do when the Orioles acquired $2.75 million in the slots in two separate trades with the Atlanta Braves in July.



“It gives us the ability to add international players and also acquire additional players from other organizations,”...