A change of scenery - just what the doctor ordered
Rob Boudreau
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Sports
A few weeks ago, the Toronto Blue Jays signed former St. Louis Cardinal and World Series MVP David Eckstein to become their new shortstop and much-needed leadoff man. Now, the Jays have agreed with the Cards' to make another trade: Toronto's own former World Series MVP Troy Glaus, for St. Louis' Scott Rolen.
Blue Jay fans had become frustrated with Glaus and his struggles with injuries in 2007. Glaus, who suffers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot missed 47 games last season, culminating with a season-ending nerve decompression surgery in September.
Although unloading Glaus may sound like a decent way to cut down the hospital bills, Rolen may not be the answer. He did, after all, have his own 2007 campaign cut short as well, after being sidelined with a shoulder surgery resulting from an injury sustained in 2005.
If you look at career numbers, Rolen looks much better than Glaus, offensively and defensively. However, if you look at last year alone, both were fairly evenly matched in almost every major category. Basically, the team that will get the better end of the deal will be the one who has the player who can stay healthy most often. Regardless of who plays third base for the Jays this year, you can bet there will be just as many people watching how much time they spend off the field as they do on.
Money appears to not have been much of an issue in the trade, as Rolen is scheduled to make $12 million over the next three seasons, and Glaus will earn $12.75 million this season and an additional $11.25 million through a player option in 2009.
The trade could not come at a better time for either player. Rolen has had an ongoing feud with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. When La Russa re-signed with the Cardinals in October, Rolen requested a trade. Glaus, meanwhile, with his foot injuries, would benefit from the grass field at St. Louis' Busch Stadium. The harder, less forgiving FieldTurf at Rogers Centre most certainly did not help his situation on (and off) the field.
The bird for bird swap of third basemen is official as both players have agreed to waive their no-trade clauses in order to complete the deal.
With the Jays so willing to take Cardinals into their flock, it is a shame these two teams will not get a chance to play against each other this season to officially determine who is getting the better end of the deal.
Blue Jay fans had become frustrated with Glaus and his struggles with injuries in 2007. Glaus, who suffers from plantar fasciitis in his left foot missed 47 games last season, culminating with a season-ending nerve decompression surgery in September.
Although unloading Glaus may sound like a decent way to cut down the hospital bills, Rolen may not be the answer. He did, after all, have his own 2007 campaign cut short as well, after being sidelined with a shoulder surgery resulting from an injury sustained in 2005.
If you look at career numbers, Rolen looks much better than Glaus, offensively and defensively. However, if you look at last year alone, both were fairly evenly matched in almost every major category. Basically, the team that will get the better end of the deal will be the one who has the player who can stay healthy most often. Regardless of who plays third base for the Jays this year, you can bet there will be just as many people watching how much time they spend off the field as they do on.
Money appears to not have been much of an issue in the trade, as Rolen is scheduled to make $12 million over the next three seasons, and Glaus will earn $12.75 million this season and an additional $11.25 million through a player option in 2009.
The trade could not come at a better time for either player. Rolen has had an ongoing feud with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. When La Russa re-signed with the Cardinals in October, Rolen requested a trade. Glaus, meanwhile, with his foot injuries, would benefit from the grass field at St. Louis' Busch Stadium. The harder, less forgiving FieldTurf at Rogers Centre most certainly did not help his situation on (and off) the field.
The bird for bird swap of third basemen is official as both players have agreed to waive their no-trade clauses in order to complete the deal.
With the Jays so willing to take Cardinals into their flock, it is a shame these two teams will not get a chance to play against each other this season to officially determine who is getting the better end of the deal.
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