Scott Rolen Bound for Cincinnati

It looks unlikely that Roy Halladay will be on the move, but the Blue Jays did shed payroll Friday afternoon, dealing third baseman Scott Rolen to the Reds for Edwin Encarnacion and two minor leaguers, a source tells FanHouse.

Cincinnati has rapidly fallen out of the NL Central race over the last few weeks, losing nine of its last 10 games to slide into fifth place in the division and draw the ire of manager Dusty Baker, who criticized his team for their lifeless play.

The deal reunites Rolen with general manager Walt Jocketty, the same executive who brought him from Philadelphia to the Cardinals in a 2002 deadline deal. Rolen, who is hitting .320 this year and has a sterling defensive reputation, is signed through 2010 at $11 million, so this move is likely geared toward building the club for next season.

"Trading two young pitchers was a stumbling block, but we finally gave in to get Rolen. We felt there are a lot of things Scott will provide for this club that was lacking -- leadership on the field with the players. He is a veteran and I had a lot of experience with him when we were together in St. Louis. He'll bring a lot to our club. He is still playing well -- a good RBI guy and plays good defense. He'll be a big asset," Jocketty told Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News.

"The type of character he brings will help our organization -- a guy who will be big part of this organization this year and in the future. I hope he's here for quite a while," he added.

Toronto received two right-handed pitchers, Josh Roenicke and minor-leaguer Zach Stewart, in addition to Encarnacion.

The Reds also dealt utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. to the Yankees. Hairston Jr. is expected to serve as insurance for injured center fielder Brett Gardner in New York. Cincinnati received minor-league catcher Chase Weems, a sixth-round pick in the 2007 draft, in exchange for Hairston.

Cincinnati assigned Weems to Single-A Dayton, and in a move related to its wheeling and dealing, called up right-handed pitchers Justin Lehr and Kip Wells from Triple-A Louisville.