Cards, Blue Jays set to swap third basemen
by Ken Rosenthal
Updated: January 12, 2008, 12:51 PM EST
Scott Rolen is on the verge of escaping St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. Troy Glaus is on the verge of escaping the artificial turf in Toronto.
The Cardinals and Blue Jays are closing in on an exchange of their third basemen, major-league sources say, but both former All-Stars must pass physicals before a deal is completed.
Those physicals are no small issue since Rolen is coming off surgery on his right shoulder and Glaus surgery on his left foot.
While both players have agreed to waive their no-trade clauses, the differences in their contracts also might need to be resolved, most likely through a cash payment from the Cardinals to the Blue Jays.
Rolen, 32, is owed $33 million over the next three seasons. Glaus, 31, is guaranteed $24 million over the next two, including an $11.25 million player option for 2009.
The commissioner's office must approve the trade if it involves a cash exchange of more than $1 million.
If the trade is completed, it would provide fresh starts for two players who — for different reasons — grew uncomfortable with their current clubs.
I couldn't get into this thread to post but whoa.. that would be a decent deal as long as glaus stays healthy. He has a lot of pop. A change in scenery could help glaus out even if he was a steroid user.
__________________
Sig from a diff site.
Rasmus future CF of the Cards!!
Last edited by Pujolsfan91 : 01-12-2008 at 02:00 PM.
Rolen, Glaus both needed change of scenery
By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
Updated: January 12, 2008
Glaus, who hit 58 homers in two seasons with Toronto, is under contract for $12.75 million this year with an $11.5 million player option for 2009. But the Blue Jays had legitimate reason to wonder if Glaus might pass on the option and leave town next winter. Glaus has foot problems that necessitated surgery in September, and the combination of plantar fasciitis and the artificial turf in Toronto was kind of scary.
As for Glaus, it remains to be seen if the switch to natural grass will have the desired effect on his health. But Glaus did hit 37 homers in his last National League go-round with Arizona in 2005, so, if healthy, he provides a bona fide middle-of-the-order complement to Albert Pujols . The Cardinals have also signed Cesar Izturis to play shortstop, so they're better equipped to cope with Glaus' lack of range.
Given the medical histories, there's an inherent risk in the trade for both clubs. But the deal made enough sense all around for both Glaus and Rolen to waive their no-trade clauses. Now the only remaining obstacle is physical exams on Monday.
A change of scenery could be good for both players but I'm still not sold b/c of injuries. Glaus is a little intimidating w/ the power so if I'm SL, I do it. If I'm Toronto, I might go internally or at least a little bit younger.
Trade swaps Rolen, Glaus
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/13/2008
By granting Scott Rolen his wish, the Cardinals may have found a way to fulfill one of their own.
The Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to finalizing a swap of third basemen that would bring Troy Glaus and his stout bat to St. Louis, while shipping the disenchanted Rolen north. Major-league sources confirmed the teams' negotiations Saturday, and multiple sources said the deal, hinging on physicals for both players, could be completed early this week. Sources confirmed Glaus was scheduled to be in St. Louis on Monday for his physical.
Reached at Busch Stadium, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he was "working through this weekend, and I am working on a lot of different things." He declined to discuss any deal specifically.
Another Cardinals official acknowledged that "conversations are taking place" with the Jays and expected a deal to be done.
Option for '09 is key to trade
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/14/2008
When the blockbuster exchange of former All-Star third basemen hatched, the Cardinals told Toronto that a vital part of dealing Scott Rolen was the assurance Troy Glaus would exercise his option for the 2009 season.
The other linchpin of the deal is expected today.
Glaus is scheduled to be in St. Louis this morning to meet with Cardinals team doctors and undergo a physical. Rolen is expected to have a similar checkup in the near future with Toronto, and the trade, agreed upon over the weekend, could be announced as early as today if both players and their rehabbing injuries pass exams.
Neither team is saying anything publicly about the swap, which would rescue Rolen from his prickly relationship with manager Tony La Russa and deliver the righthanded bat the
Cardinals crave. An agent for Rolen declined to comment until a deal is official.
Glaus' agent acknowledged that his client has a physical scheduled for today but declined to say anything more. The agent, Mike Nicotera, did offer details on his client's recovery from foot surgery in September, saying Glaus is running and working out "normal at this point."
"He needed a procedure to fix (plantar fasciitis in his left foot)," Nicotera said. "He went through the season trying to manage it every day and then it just got to a point where it had to be addressed. The thing of it is, if he got it fixed, it will be fixed."
The Cardinals and Blue Jays are closing in on an exchange of their third basemen, major-league sources say, and both former All-Stars have passed their physicals.
Cards, Jays complete Rolen-Glaus trade
Cards, Jays complete Rolen-Glaus trade
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