Cardinals, Blue Jays near trade of swapping their 3rd basemen

[riverside sluggers]

Its not official until physicals are done and the commisioner approves

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3193566

 

Rolen to the Blue Jays. Glaus to the Cardinals.

[BSN07]

Huh... Not sure how to react to this one. I guess its not bad for either team. Rolen was a malcontent in the Lou, and wanted out, I guess Toronto loses some power but gains a better all around talent I suppose.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Let's check contracts.

 

Glaus:

 

2008 $12.75 million

2009: $11.25 million player option

 

No-trade clause

 

Rolen:

 

2008: $12 million

2009: $12 million

2010: $12 million

 

No-trade clause

 

Both players are worth about 4 WARP1 (Glaus 4.0; Rolen 4.1). The slick-fielding Rolen is projected to age a little better than the slugger Glaus, although both are listed at a hefty 240 pounds. Glaus is 16 months younger. Rolen has had, by far, the better peak years (1998 and 2004). Both have had seesaw careers with time lost to injuries. Glaus has more association with PED rumors. Rolen doesn't get along with his clubhouse.

 

My take: watch for Glaus to tear up NL Central pitching in his contract year. Watch for Rolen to struggle a bit against AL East pitching in 2008*, while providing good glove work, AS LONG AS the media and the fans don't come down too hard on him for his hitting.

 

The big difference, though, is that it's one year of Glaus for three years of Rolen. St Louis is betting that Rolen is washed up soon. We'll see.

 

 

* Note that Rolen's career split vs. AL teams is .290/.381/.513, so a decline facing the AL is far from an automatic. I'll still predict it. Caveat emptor.

[stocker323]

I was very impressed with the Blue Jays infield defense with McDonald and Hill last year. This would only make it even better. I say good deal for the Jays.

[26 to 6]

Yeah, absolutely. I do think the Jays made a good deal, but the same can be said for the Cards too. Fact of the matter is that it makes sense for the Cards to get Rolen out of St. Louis for the obvious reasons, and it made sense that the Jays would want to get Glaus out, especially after being named in the Mitchell Report. If Rolen can come back completely healthy he can be a huge contributor for the Jays, and not only on offense but he can do it on defense too. I think it works out well for both teams. Just a nice old-fashioned straight up trade.

[BoSox21]

I was very impressed with the Blue Jays infield defense with McDonald and Hill last year. This would only make it even better. I say good deal for the Jays.

 

Toronto replaced McDonald with David Eckstein for the upcoming season