The Toronto Blue Jays have addressed their pitching needs with a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins.
Though the deal is not official yet, multiple sources are reportng the Blue Jays will receive right-hander Josh Johnson, left-hander Mark Buehrle, shortstop Jose Reyes, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck from Miami.
In exchange, the Blue Jays will reportedly send shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis, minor league outfielder Jake Marisnick and minor league pitchers Justin Nicolino and Anthony DeSclafani to the Marlins.
The deal represents a major financial investment on the part of the Blue Jays and another massive Marlins fire sale.
According to MLB.com, the trade moves $159.75 million in base salary commitments from the Marlins to the Blue Jays.
Reyes has $92 million remaining in base salary through 2017; Buehrle is owed $48 million through 2015, while Johnson and Buck are owed $13.75 million and $6 million respectively in 2012 in the final year of their deals.
Ken Rosenthal was first with news of the trade:
Confirmed: Reyes going to #BlueJays. Henderson Alvarez also going to #Marlins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 13, 2012
Now the belief is the MIA-TOR deal won’t be done until sometime Wednesday…
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 14, 2012
Asked official with one of clubs if he has any concern that commissioner might kill the deal. His response: “None at all.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2012
jays getting good players play hard whit fun good luck to my boys love thos guys they play hard for me and very profesional
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) November 14, 2012
TOR GM Alex Anthopoulos told a friend last week that he was working on a pie-in-the-sky trade that he didn’t think would happen. But it did.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 14, 2012
#Marlins opened season with a payroll of roughly $100MM. After this trade, non-arb 2013 obligations will be ~ $16MM. Historic salary dump.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 13, 2012