Major League Baseball approved the mega-deal between the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, allowing the trade to be finalized and completed.
The trade was agreed to last week, but commissioner Bud Selig took time to review all the issues and financials involved before signing off on the deal on Monday. The commissioner's office must sign off on all transactions.
"This transaction, involving established major leaguers and highly regarded young players and prospects, represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both clubs (and) does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball and does not otherwise warrant the exercise of any of my powers to prevent its completion," Selig said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "It is, of course, up to the clubs involved to make the case to their respective fans that this transaction makes sense and enhances the competitive position of each, now or in the future."
The trade moves superstars Jose Reyes and pitcher Josh Johnson, as well as pitcher Mark Buehrle, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio to the Blue Jays for a crop of young players and prospects.
Miami received infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, pitchers Henderson Alvarez, Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Nicolino, as well as catcher Jeff Mathis and outfielder Jake Marisnick.
Although fans were outraged, Marlins owner Jeffery Loria defended the deal last week at the winter meetings in Chicago.
"We have to get better,'' Loria said, according to CBSSports.com. "We can't finish in last place. We finished in last place. That's unacceptable. We have to take a new course.''
The team spent a great deal of money last offseason, but the trade moves over $146 million off the books for the Marlins for the future. The Blue Jays are taking on "combined guaranteed salaries of $163.75 million through 2018, including $96 million due Reyes," according to the Associated Press.
Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said on Monday that Loria wanted to pare down the payroll.
"We did receive a payroll range from ownership that we needed to achieve," Beinfest said. "With this transaction, we have achieved that payroll range."
Beinfest also said that the financial commitments and the decision to make the trade would be a barrier to bringing in new free agents.
"It'll be a factor," he said. "I don't think we're happy about this at all. I understand there may be some disdain in the marketplace. We won't know until we get into those negotiations with free agents. It's definitely not great for the club, and we're going to have to deal with it."
Just a year ago, the Marlins were full of excitement and promise. The team finished completion of a new multi-billion dollar stadium that took years to build and brought in manager Ozzie Guillen to lead the roster. The Marlins were re-branded as the Miami Marlins and a new logo and uniforms were introduced.
It took years to get financing for the stadium, and there was a feeling from the organization that fans would not have to suffer from fire sales of the past, including the dismantling of two World Series champion teams for payroll reasons.
During the last offseason the team pursued free agent Albert Pujols and spent a massive amount of money on Reyes, Buehrle and Heath Bell, who all signed long-term deals. Reyes signed a six-year, $106 million deal, while Buehrle signed a four-year, $58 million deal.
Things started off on the wrong foot when Guillen made comments praising Fidel Castro that angered the heavily Cuban community in the Miami area and resulted in a five-game suspension.
Guillen said: "I love Fidel Castro ... I respect Fidel Castro. You know why? A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that motherfucker is still here."
The team played poorly all year and in mid-season the Marlins traded franchise player Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team finished with a 69-93 record, one of the worst in the National League. The Marlins were 35-46 at home and ranked in the bottom-six of baseball in runs, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
According to the Associated Press, "The Marlins flopped as big spenders. They began the year with a franchise-record payroll of $112 million, then went 69-93, their worst record since 1999."
"We've finished in last place the past two years, and that is unacceptable," Loria said in a statement. "It's incumbent on us to make the changes necessary to make us a winner again. It may not happen overnight. But with the players we acquired in the second half of last season, coupled with the infusion of players we are acquiring now, we will be returning to Marlins baseball: high energy and hungry."
Bell signed a three-year, $27 million contract, but was extremely ineffective at the beginning of the season and lost his closers job. He got into arguments with Guillen and eventually was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Reyes had a solid season offensively, hitting .287 with 11 home runs and 57 RBIs, but didn't come close to the expectations a $100-million deal brings. Buehrle was also subpar this season, going 13-13 with a 3.74 ERA.
The only star left on the Marlins, outfielder and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, expressed anger and frustration last week about the trade,
"I know this is an emotional time," Beinfest said. "I'm sure it has been tough for him. Our feeling was to maybe let the dust settle a little bit and then talk to Giancarlo. I hear the frustration. It's not unexpected. This has been a tough go, but we think it's best for us moving forward."
Commissioner Selig also spoke about the feelings of the fans and their frustration with ownership in Miami.
"Baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities, and I fully understand that the Miami community has done its part to put the Marlins into a position to succeed with beautiful new Marlins Park," Selig said. "Going forward, I will continue to monitor this situation with the expectation that the Marlins will take into account the sentiments of their fans, who deserve the best efforts and considered judgment of their club. I have received assurances from the ownership of the Marlins that they share these beliefs and are fully committed to build a long-term winning team that their fans can be proud of."
The Marlins also announced on Monday that they signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal with outfielder Juan Pierre, who previously played for the team when they won the World Series in 2003.
