Updated 9:30 p.m. Updated 5:10 p.m. … Note: This story will appear shortly as a news story on StlToday.com, but in the spirit of  offering instant, up-to-date information,  I’m popping it in the  blog as well. Will be updated as the day progress.  

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Scott Rolen may finally get his wish, and the Cardinals may have found his replacement.

The Cardinals and Toronto Blues Jays are close to finalizing a swap of third basemen that would bring Troy Glaus to St. Louis and send the disenchanted Rolen north of the border. Multiple industry sources confirmed the conversations, which were first reported Saturday on FoxSports.com, and the deal could be completed early this coming week.

Glaus is scheduled for a physical Monday morning in St. Louis.

Both players will have to pass physicals before a trade can be finalized and if there is more than $1 million in cash changing hands the commissioner’s office will have to give its blessing. There may also be contract stipulations regarding Glaus’ option for the 2009 season — an important element for the Cardinals who wanted to assure they were getting the slugger for two seasons, instead of one.

Reached at his office, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he was at the ballpark “working through this weekend and I’m working on a lot of different things.”

He declined to discuss specifics.

Another Cardinals official acknowledged that “there are conversations taking place”.

Rolen, a Gold Glove third baseman, has $36 million and three years remaining on his contract, though he did approach the Cardinals earlier this offseason to express a willingness to waive his no-trade clause. Rolen has a simmering feud with manager Tony La Russa, one that has become increasingly public since La Russa agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Cardinals. Rolen has remained mum publicly, though La Russa has described an environment where one player said he would prefer La Russa not return to the club.

That player: Rolen.

The Cardinals explored trading Rolen to several clubs — most notably Milwaukee  – during the Winter Meetings in December. A deal could not be completed and Mozeliak left the meetings site believe Rolen would be a member of the 2008 Cardinals. Rolen has been disgruntled with the organization since a shoulder injury in 2005, and his frustration peaked in 2006 when La Russa did not start for a game in the National League Championship Series.

Rolen was limited to 112 games last season before requiring  a third surgery in three seasons on his left shoulder.  The Cardinals have said they expect him to be ready for spring training, and Rolen said the most recent surgery is to restore a  flexibility he lacked in 2007. His difficulty with the shoulder contributed to sagging power numbers, which included eight home runs.  

Glaus, 31, is a two-time 40-homer hitter and has five season of at least 30 home runs. He has been bothered by a foot injury that limited him to 115 games last season, though he still hit 20 home runs and drove in 62 RBIs.

It has been reported and confirmed that physicals for both players would be a pivotal part of completing any deal.

More as the story unfolds as StlToday.com.

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