The Toronto Blue Jays have called a 6:30 p.m. ET news conference where they are expected to announce a deal which brings Troy Glaus north of the border.
The deal between Toronto and the Arizona Diamondbacks sends Glaus and a prospect to Toronto in exchange for pitcher Miguel Batista and second baseman Orlando Hudson, a person familiar with the talks told ESPN's Peter Gammons.
The deal has been rumored for days, and was widely reported as finalized Monday night.
"Hopefully, soon. But not today,'' Toronto general manager J.P.
Ricciardi said Monday evening. "Right now we're just trying to
finish everything off.''
Arizona signed Glaus to a four-year, $45 million contract last offseason, but the Diamondbacks reportedly would like to free up money and the third baseman has been mentioned in trade talk throughout this offseason.
The Blue Jays have made major upgrades to their roster this offseason, signing A.J. Burnett (five years, $55 million) and closer B.J. Ryan (five years, $47 million) for the pitching staff and trading for first baseman Lyle Overbay. The Blue Jays have expanded their payroll from $45 million to around $80 million.
The Blue Jays are expected to make more trades because adding Glaus
creates a glut at their corner infield positions. Glaus prefers
playing third base, but the Blue Jays already have Corey Koskie.
The Blue Jays also have Shea Hillenbrand and Eric Hinske at first
base and DH.
A trade frees up Arizona's logjam at the corner positions. Chad Tracy could move from first base to third base, while Tony Clark and Conor Jackson, one of the organization's top prospects, could split time at first base.
Glaus hit .257 with 37 homers and 97 RBI last season. Because of injury -- Glaus totaled only 34 home runs in both the 2003 and 2004 season -- he was limited to 58 games in '04 because of shoulder surgery, but last season Glaus appeared in 147 games, his most since his World Series MVP season of 2002.
As long as he stays healthy, Glaus is a bonefide 30-homer threat, having hit a career-high 47 in 2000, his third year in the majors.
Batista became expendable with the signing of Ryan. Toronto's full-time closer last season, Batista saved 31 games while going 5-8 with a 4.10 ERA.
Hudson, who turned 28 earlier this month, batted .271 in 131 games, with 10 home runs and a career-high 63 RBI.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report