The Miami Marlins traded Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday for a package of five players. Going back to Miami are Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Jake Marisnick, Jeff Mathis, Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Nicolino. The Marlins will be sending $4 million back to Toronto in the deal. In the move, Miami saves a significant amount of money going forward but also decreases the likelihood of competing within the next few years.
Reyes being moved comes as a shock to the baseball world as he was thought to be a cornerstone for Miami and had just signed a long term deal last off-season. The move is likely due to the fact the Marlins have no hopes of playoff contention in the near future with or without the All-Star shortstop. Johnson had been mentioned in trade rumors doing back to last year but as of late it appeared the former Marlins’ ace would be in the rotation come April. That changed on Tuesday when he became just a piece of one of the biggest trades in Major League Baseball history. Buehrle who joined the Marlins when Ozzie Guillen was named manager may have been looking to leave and was also owed a lot of money in a backloaded contract. Buck was a contract the Marlins had been looking to get out of as he has woefully under-produced while falling to number two on the depth chart behind Rob Brantly. Bonifacio figured to be penciled into the lineup for 2013 at a variety of locations and was not expected to be dealt. It is likely Toronto demanded his inclusion in the deal due to the money they were taking on.
With the moves, it is likely that Donovan Solano will be given a chance to win a starting job alongside Escobar and Hechavarria. Those three men could man third base, second base and shortstop but it is possible that the Marlins have more up their sleeves. In the rotation, there is a chance Brad Hand gets a chance at a starting gig as the team has dealt their top two arms and could move their third as well in Ricky Nolasco.
About Larry Walansky
