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Posted at 8:18 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2007

Baseball: Blue Jays, Eckstein finalize 1-year, $4.5M deal

Associated Press

TORONTO — Scrappy shortstop David Eckstein and the Toronto Blue Jays finalized their $4.5 million, one-year contract today.

The 2006 World Series MVP, Eckstein spent the past three seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He batted a career-best .309 this year with three homers, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 117 games.

The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Eckstein is expected bat leadoff for the Blue Jays. The move likely means incumbent shortstop John McDonald, who signed a $3.8 million, two-year contract in September, will be relegated to a backup role.

Eckstein hit .364 with four RBIs and three doubles against the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series as St. Louis won in five games for its first championship since 1982. He also helped the Anaheim Angels win the 2002 World Series.

Eckstein, who turns 33 next month, was an NL All-Star in 2005 and 2006. He and the Blue Jays agreed to the deal on Thursday, pending a physical.