Marlins Deal Stars to Blue Jays

After making a giant splash in the free agent pool last off-season, the Miami Marlins seem to be back in fire sale mode and it all started in the middle of the season, but is becoming even more prominent with their deal yesterday.

When the Marlins traded Hanley Ramirez, Randy Choate, Edward Mujica, Gaby Sanchez, Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante and Heath Bell, it was clear the team was starting over. They seemed like they still had pieces, however, in Jose Reyes (6-years, $106 million) and Mark Buehrle (4-years, $58 million) who they signed in the off-season. Well, those pieces are gone now as well, with the Marlins trading Reyes, Buehrle, pitcher Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio to the Toronto Blue Jays.

In return, the Marlins will get shortstop Yunel Escobar, pitcher Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis and prospects Jake Marisnick (outfielder), Adeiny Hechavarria (shortstop), Justin Nicolino (pitcher) and Anthony DeSclafani (pitcher).

It’s been an overhaul for a team that had high expectations heading into the 2012 season when they signed some key free agents and pegged Ozzie Guillen as the manager. Now Guillen is gone, Heath Bell was dealt to the Diamondbacks, Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers, Anibal Sanchez to the Tigers, Omar Infante to the Tigers and now Reyes, Johnson and Buehrle to the Blue Jays.

The trade won’t go over well with fans or other players, as already expressed by outfielder Giancarlo Stanton who showed his displeasure via Twitter. Does this mean yet another rebuilding stage for the Marlins?
By: Brandon Williams Member of the Football Writers Association of America