The Cardinals, bringing back one of their former prospects, are on the verge of signing free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy to a three-year, $10 million contract.
Kennedy, 30, will replace free agent Ron Belliard, whom the Cardinals acquired from the Indians last July for infielder Hector Luna.
The Blue Jays, who also had been interested in Kennedy, remain in need of a second baseman or shortstop.
Kennedy, the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 1997, made his debut in ‘99, then was traded to the Angels along with pitcher Kent Bottenfield for center fielder Jim Edmonds on March 23, 2000.
A career .280 hitter, Kennedy spent the past seven seasons with the Angels, and was the starting second baseman for the team’s World Series championship club in 2002.