This Day in Baseball History
2005 - Diamondbacks and Blue Jays strike a deal
The Toronto Blue Jays continue their offseason rebuild by acquiring three-time All-Star Troy Glaus from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Infield prospect Sergio Santos, who is eventually converted to a pitcher, also heads north in exchange for Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and right-hander Miguel Batista.
The 28-year-old Glaus is coming off his first and only campaign in the desert and adds significant punch to the Blue Jays' lineup. In 149 games in 2004 with Arizona, Glaus slashed .258/.363/.522 with a team-leading 37 home runs and 97 RBIs.
It's an active offseason for Blue Jays general manager J.P Ricciardi, who almost doubles his payroll after adding starter A.J. Burnett, first baseman Lyle Overbay and closer B.J. Ryan.
"He's the big bopper we were looking for," Ricciardi says of Glaus. "We never in our wildest dreams thought we'd get two bats and two pitchers."
Glaus admits the improvements to the Blue Jays' roster was the main reason he decided to waive his no-trade clause.
"With the moves that they made, and things that they've been able to do, this team seems poised to make a run. We're young and very, very talented," Glaus said.
Glaus spends two productive seasons in Toronto but the Blue Jays fail to reach the postseason in each. He is traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in January 2008 for Scott Rolen after 268 games as a Blue Jay, in which he slashed .256/.360/.496 with 58 home runs and 166 RBIs.
Birthdays
1972 - Einar Diaz
1975 - B.J. Ryan
1979 - Bill Hall