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Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria Remains Defiant, Insists He Isn’t Selling Team

The Marlins have been highly criticized in the wake of their mega-trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, and perhaps rightfully so.

It’s the team’s third firesale in its 20-year franchise history, and second under current owner Jeffrey Loria, who secured about 80 percent public funds for the team’s new ballpark which opened in 2012 — a cost which could rise to about $2.4 billion after interest is compounded. Given that all the team’s high-priced talent was shown the door, it isn’t surprising that Miami residents are unhappy with the lack of return on their investment.

Nonetheless, Loria remains defiant as ever, seemingly indignant when questioned by CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman about the trade.

“We finished in last place. Figure it out,” said Loria about his motivation to make the trade. When asked if the deal was a precursor to him selling the franchise, he likewise replied “Absolutely not. That’s more stupidity.

“We have to get better. We can’t finish in last place. We finished in last place. That’s unacceptable. We have to take a new course.”

What that new course might be is anyone’s guess at this point.

Photo via Facebook/Fire Jeffrey Loria for Real