Miami Fire Sale

I have debated with myself about whether or not to write about the recent Toronto Blue Jays/Miami Marlins trade.  So much has been written about it already and it has been talked about on all of the sports channels.  I went ahead and penned this today because there are some things about the trade that really bother me and I just need to sort some thoughts out. 

First of all, I have to say BRAVO to the Blue Jays.  They were willing to open the checkbook and bring in five players who, in one way or another, will help them challenge in the AL East.  For me, it was a no-brainer on Toronto’s part.  If they are willing to accept the long term salary risks that accompany some of the players’ contracts, then I say good for them and good for their fans.  Their fans really can go into Spring Training with a positive attitude toward their chances for the 2013 season.

Secondly, one has to take a look at the trade itself and the players involved.  Toronto received Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, Emilio Bonafacio, and John Buck.  Five players, all with their own warts, but all with talent to really fill out a roster and make significant contributions.  Miami received Yunel Escobar, Alvarez Henderson, Jeff Mathis, and four prospects, a couple of which are pretty decent MLB candidates.  Basically, Miami received an average shortstop, a number four starter that can’t strike anyone out, a career back up catcher, and four players who may or may not be average major leaguers someday.  I know it is a slippery slope to compare real major league baseball with fantasy baseball but if this trade were made in any keeper or dynasty leagues, it would have been challenged and overturned.  Miami just did not get enough back for the sheer volume of talent they shipped off.  If the deal would have been Reyes and either Johnson or Buerhle for Escobar, Henderson, and the best two prospects, this would have been closer to fair.  As it stands, though, the trade is completely imbalanced.

Thirdly, and this what bothers me the most, is the Marlins’ method of operation here.  They get a new stadium and in the winter before its grand opening, they go out and spend money like Steinbrenners.  Miami’s payroll doubled over last winter, going from approximately $57 million to $118 million.  Marlin fans rejoiced and I didn’t blame them.  Then the season started and things started to go askew.  Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen’s mouth got him in trouble (big surprise) right off the bat and Miami just couldn’t get it going.  The season slowly started to slip away.  In July, they shipped off the talented but discontented Hanley Ramirez, and then almost as soon as the season was over, they shipped closer Heath Bell off.  About a year go right now, baseball was toasting Miami for signing Bell, even though most knew they overpaid for him.  Miami signed Reyes and Buerhle to lucrative, end loaded, long term contracts and the future looked rosy.  Now, all of those players are gone, plus other key pieces.

Here we are, less than a year later, watching Miami ownership stab the fans in the hearts with the complete approval of Commissioner Bud Selig.  The Commissioner’s office took some time before giving the green light to this trade but I think it was just for show.  Selig was never, ever going to overturn this trade.  In truth, it would have set a bad precedent.  What I would like to see is a stern reprimand to Miami for their methodology, and a warning to other teams that this kind of behavior by ownerships won’t be tolerated.  That, or course, is not realistic and would never happen.  These teams belong to the ownership groups and not to the fans.  This has been shown to be the case over and over.  Owners can spend, or pocket, whatever money they want and in many cities, ownership couldn’t really care less about their fans.  In the last fifteen years, Miami has laid out some cash and won two championships (this fact still bugs me), then dismantled those teams instead of paying their increased salaries.  At least Miami fans have those two championships.

One more thing bothers me.  It has come out, and I have no way a verifying the truth of these reports, that the Marlins gave Reyes and Buerhle verbal agreements that they would not be traded.  The Marlins do not offer no-trade clauses so apparently they made gentlemen’s agreements with a couple of stars to get them to sign.  If this is true, the players’ union should warn all of their members that the word of the Marlins means nothing.

So, as we look to the 2013 season, the Marlins should be terrible and the Blue Jays should be the favorite in the AL East.  Not only do they have the players they traded for but they also have Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie, Brandon Morrow, among others.  They also just signed disgraced All Star MVP Melky Cabrera to a 2-year deal.  There rotation isn’t scary good, and there is as much chance it falters as it succeeds.  The bullpen could have some holes in it, but overall, the Blue Jays are solid and downright impressive offensively. 

The fans north of the border celebrate while the fans in South Florida cry into their cups.  I’m happy for Toronto fans but Miami fans, in their sparkling new stadium they are paying for, do have my sympathies.