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DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — While the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers met on the field Thursday, they announced a three-way swap of first basemen that also included the Montreal Expos. Toronto sent David Segui and cash to Texas, which then dealt Lee Stevens to the Expos. To complete the deal, Montreal sent Brad Fullmer to the Blue Jays. ``Every place he has played, he has hit,'' Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said of Fullmer. ``He has had his problems fielding. He was probably meant to be an AL player because of no DH (designated hitter) in the NL, and he will be our DH starting out.'' Segui hit a combined .298 for Seattle and Toronto last season with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. A .285 career hitter, he was dealt by Seattle last July 28 for pitchers Tom Davey and Steve Sinclair, became a free agent after the season, then signed a $4,325,000, one-year contract to stay with the Blue Jays. ``We're saving several million dollars on the face of the transaction,'' Toronto general manager Gord Ash said. With Carlos Delgado at first base, Segui would have been Toronto's DH. ``I don't know how happy David would be DHing,'' Fregosi said. ``David will play more first with Texas than he would have here.'' Stevens batted .282 last season for the Rangers, setting career highs with 24 homers and 81 RBIs. ``I figured that they would release me before they would trade me,'' Stevens said. ``It's going to be tough leaving Texas, because it's the only place I have ever really stayed.'' Fullmer split last season between Montreal and Triple-A Ottawa of the International League. He batted .277 for the Expos with nine homers and 47 RBIs. ``My bat is my meal ticket,'' Fullmer said. ``i don't forsee and problems as a DH, but I always thought my fielding was OK.' Fullmer didn't like getting sent down to the minors in 1999. ``We didn't see eye to eye last year, but this year I came in with an open mind,'' he said. ``I guess it was not to be. It's a beginning for me and I just want to go where I am wanted.'' The only other trade involving both Canadian teams occurred in 1985 when the Blue Jays sent outfielder Mitch Webster to Montreal for a player to be named. Stevens will make $3.5 million after losing in salary arbitration. Like Segui, he is eligible for free agency after this season. Fullmer's contract was renewed earlier this month at a salary of $310,000 if he's in the major leagues and $185,000 if he's in the minors. He could be eligible for salary arbitration after this season and for free agency after the 2003 World Series. |