The Cleveland Indians today traded knuckleballer Tom Candiotti and outfielder Turner Ward to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Denis Boucher and outfielders Glenallen Hill and Mark Whiten.
Candiotti, who was eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season, had been the subject of repeated trade speculation. The right-hander has a 7-6 record and a 2.24 ERA after four straight losses..Earlier this week, during a series in Toronto, Candiotti said he didn't think he would be back with the Indians next season.
"I can't see coming back to a team that's fundamentally not competent," he said. "It doesn't look like we're going in the right direction."
Discussions between the first-place Blue Jays and the last-place Indians had been going on for weeks.
Candiotti is expected to start Friday for Toronto against Seattle. Indians spokesman John Maroon said Candiotti was traveling today to meet up with the Blue Jays in Minnesota.