TORONTO - The relationship between the Toronto Blue Jays and Vernon Wells didn't have to end last week, but when the opportunity for change arose they both understood it was time to move on.

Their priorities diverged once Alex Anthopoulos took over as general manager at the end of the 2009 season. The team wanted to build up talent for the long-term while Wells was more focused on success in the present.

In the midst of US$126-million, seven-year contract, however, the centre-fielder knew he had to get on board, even if that wasn't he signed up for.

So they found a comfort zone, made the best of it, and were content to go on. But when the Los Angeles Angels called, they reassessed things and agreed they had to part ways.

It wasn't the ending anyone had envisioned, but it marks an unexpected new beginning for both Wells and the Blue Jays.

"For (Anthopoulos), it's just a difficult situation because I'm kind of the old guy that's been there forever, but he's doing his thing now, he's bringing the young talent that he wants to build his team around," Wells said during an emotional conference call with Blue Jays beat writers Tuesday morning.

"And for me, it's a great opportunity to start a new chapter in my life, even though this wasn't part of the plan. ... It's a change that we just thought came at the right time for both parties."

By waving his no-trade clause, Wells gets the opportunity to play for the present with an Angels team as competitive as any other in the diluted American League West. Being closer to his Texas home is a nice perk, too.

The Blue Jays gain freedom from the $86 million Wells is owed over the final four years of his contract, and while 2011 isn't a writeoff by any stretch, the real benefits will come down the road if Anthopoulos plays his cards right.

It was those financial considerations that had many fans celebrating the departure of one of the franchise's greatest players for outfielder Juan Rivera and catcher Mike Napoli, who was traded to Texas on Tuesday for reliever Frank Francisco.

But the reality for Wells since he agreed to his monster deal in December 2006 has been that the contract has trumped both the player and the person.

Living up to it was never going to be possible. A structure that backloaded the payments so he was to be paid the most when he was likely to produce the least didn't help, and injuries only added to a toxic mix.

Fans made Wells a lightning rod for their frustrations over flawed teams not deep enough to compete in the American League East, while the 32-year-old didn't help himself by playing through hidden injuries in 2007 (shoulder) and '09 (wrist).

It took him time to learn how to deal with it all.

"I think expectations change when you sign a deal like that, and usually expectations can only lead to negative things, you can never really exceed anybody's expectations," said Wells. "Such is life, I understood that. After my '09 season, as bad as it was, I learned a lot from it, I learned that really, no matter what I do, good or bad, that contract is always going to be there.

"Whether people choose to point to that all the time or not, I've got to move on, I've got to continue to play the game, and do it the best I can."

Wells rebounded from the dismal 2009, when his wrist injury changed his swing, with a solid 2010 as he made his third all-star team. Fans somewhat warmed to him again, too, although they were quick to boo when he slumped through the summer.

The Angels visit Aug. 12-14 and Wells anticipates a mixed reaction.

"There will be some good, some bad," he said. "For the most part I've grown up with everyone in that city. They've been my parents, they've been my friends, they've been everything. I've heard anything and everything across the board and I've tried to handle it as well as I could.

"When I get back home there, I think it will be a good experience."

Saying goodbye has been a more difficult experience.

Conversations with his teammates have been emotional, he said, as has parting with friends in Toronto and suburban Mississauga, where he and his family spent the summers.

His message to fans who both cheered and jeered him?

"I can't say thank you enough for the time there," Wells said before becoming choked up. "It's hard to put it into words and it's hard to keep my emotions out of it once you're saying goodbye. I can only say thank you. It's been a fun ride."

It's a ride he didn't expect to end so soon, until last Wednesday. While taking in the Dallas Mavericks' 109-100 win over the Lakers with his wife and Rangers third baseman Michael Young and his wife, he received a text from Anthopoulos.

They talked, Wells was apprised of the situation, and was given some time to make the decision.

"I was fully ready to continue on the path we were going on," said Wells. "Alex and I have talked several times over the course of the off-season on different guys, what kind of person each individual is that he's bringing in or wants to bring in. I kind of thought we were kind of building this thing together. ...

"At the same time it's an opportunity for both sides and do something special, and it gives them the flexibility to do that and it gives me the opportunity to do it now. It's a hard change but it's a good one."