DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Starting a three-way trade of first basemen Thursday, Toronto sent David Segui and cash to Texas.
The Rangers then dealt Lee Stevens to Montreal, and to complete the deal, the Expos sent Brad Fullmer to the Blue Jays.
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.
Stevens batted .282 last season for the Rangers, setting career highs with 24 homers and 81 RBIs.
Fullmer split last season between Montreal and Class AAA Ottawa of the International League. He batted .277 for the Expos with nine homers and 47 RBIs.
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.
