Cardinals to swap Rolen for Glaus

Ken Rosenthal has been the first on the scene for many major trade rumors these past couple weeks. Here's another tidbit from him today. The St. Louis Cardinals are on the verge of swapping Scott Rolen for Troy Glaus from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rolen's poor working relationship with Tony LaRussa has been well documented, and the Cardinals were scrambling to get something for the veteran 3B. The deal is pending both players passing physicals. Normally this is just a superfluous step before the signing, but it is not the case for this deal. Both players are coming off of major surgeries. Rolen had surgery on his right shoulder, and Glaus had an operation on his left foot.

This seems like a pretty good deal for the Blue Jays in my opinion. The Cardinals are reportedly going to send money to the Blue Jays as well to cover some of Rolen's contract. I thought the Cardinals would get a major-league-ready player like Glaus, but I figured they would score a prospect out of the deal as well. After all, the Brewers were being asked for Capuano, Hall, and a prospect. The asking price must have plummeted. Either way, both teams are getting an injured veteran with a good power stroke (though Rolen's has been declining), but Toronto seems to win in the deal because of the money the Cardinals are willing to send over to cover part of Rolen's contract. Not to mention Rolen is a much better fielder than Troy Glaus.