Major League Baseball

Jays trade Rolen to Reds for three players

Published Aug. 1, 2009 1:07 a.m. ET

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The Toronto Blue Jays didn't deal Roy Halladay on Friday, but they granted the request of third baseman Scott Rolen to play closer to his Indiana home by trading him to Cincinnati.

Rolen waived his no-trade clause to approve the deal, which sent third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, right-hander Josh Roenicke and minor league right-hander Zach Stewart to the Jays.

The Blue Jays also included an undisclosed amount of cash in the deal, to help the Reds pay Rolen's $11 million salary this year. Contrary to an earlier report, Reds infielder Yonder Alonso, last year's first-round pick, was not included in the deal.

Rolen has one more year left on an eight-year, $90 million deal he signed with St. Louis. Former Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty made it a priority to get Rolen.

"He will bring a lot to this ballclub that's been lacking," said Jocketty, in his second season as the Reds GM. "He brings leadership. He's a veteran. I think he'll add a lot to this club. And he's still playing well. He's a good RBI man and a Gold Glove at third base."

Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said in a teleconference with reporters that Rolen asked to be traded for "personal reasons."

Ricciardi said he was happy to end up with Encarnacion, whom he described as a younger player with more power.

Encarnacion, who has spent much of this season on the disabled list, is batting .209 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 43 games.

Encarnacion declined to talk to the media after the trade.

"It could be a good move for Edwin, too," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Sometimes a change of scenery is good for you."

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The Jays will also save $6.25 million on next year's payroll. That's the difference between Rolen's $11 million salary and Encarnacion's $4.75 million.

Rolen won a World Series while playing for Jocketty in St. Louis. Cincinnati officials had been looking for a right-handed hitter such as Rolen for much of the season.

Rolen is having his best year since 2006, batting .320 with eight home runs and 43 RBIs.

Roenicke didn't have a record in 11 appearances with the Reds. He had a 2.70 ERA in two stints with Cincinnati this season. The Blue Jays also got right-hander Zach Stewart, who started the season at Class A and was eventually promoted to Triple-A Louisville, where he had two saves in nine appearances.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.