PatRappMusic

You actually didn't. But no worries, I can answer for you. Yes, the Marlins reduced the net quality they received in the trade by refusing to pay any of Haren's salary.

Do you agree that the Marlins reduced their trade haul (either through receiving less talent or giving up more talent) by not paying any of Haren's salary?

Nobody is accusing you of lying, dude. I have no doubt you're just repeating what you hear. But use some common sense. Of course the Marlins reduce their trade hauls when they refuse to take on salary. If you don't agree with that, then what you're saying is that teams take on additional salary out of the goodness of their hearts. The Dodgers got something from paying all of Haren's salary--either better prospects from the Marlins, or lesser prospects going to the Marlins.

Or, conversely, having to take lesser prospects from LA. But yes, it goes without saying that the Marlins "strategy" of requiring teams to swallow salaries of incoming players and even chip in for salaries of outgoing players reduces the quality the Marlins receive in trades. This doesn't require insider sources; it's just common sense. Teams aren't going to take on additional salary out of the goodness of their hearts. The Marlins, by virtue of not paying Haren's salary, reduced their net haul from the trade (by either getting less talent or giving up more talent). It's perfectly reasonable to assume that the Marlins might not have had to relinquish Hernandez (or Barnes--or perhaps gotten a better prospect than Rojas) if they had chosen to take on more salary. I'm surprised this point needs explaining.

Yes, but he pins it 100% on the front office, saying that Loria gave them the go-ahead to take on money to improve the trade haul, and yet, for reasons beyond anyone's comprehension, the front office instead decided--against Loria's wishes, apparently--to give away a draft pick so they could shed even more salary! All I can say is that Admin's mind must be pretty flexible from all those mental gymnastics.

maybe they can use the money to sign their competitive balance draft pi...oh right.

Ding ding ding. They don't trade a draft pick if Loria is cool with taking on money. The draft pick was traded in order to dump Morse's salary, and Morse's salary was dumped because Loria didn't want to pay it.