The first thought when news broke of the Marlins’ huge salary dump was, “Of course.”
The second thought was, “How could players be so stupid to sign there?”
Well, maybe they’re not as stupid as they appear.
Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes — the two biggest names in the pending deal, who were both let go just a year into their loaded contracts with the Marlins — both asked Miami management about not being allowed to have no-trade clauses in their contracts when they signed, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
“Buehrle knew the Marlins’ history of dumping high-priced players, and it concerned him, according to a friend,” Rosenthal writes. “Team president David Samson, however, told both Buehrle and his wife, Jamie, that the team was committed to a long-term vision.”
The Buehrles were concerned because they have young children — and also a pit bull that’s not legally allowed in their new destination, Toronto. Buehrle signed with the Marlins for four years and $58 million, turning down a three-year offer from the Nationals to join Miami and its new manager, Ozzie Guillen, who had managed Buehrle in Chicago.
Reyes signed for six years and $106 million — and also asked about the Marlins’ tendency to ditch high-priced players.
“The answer is yes — a vehement yes,” Rosenthal quotes a source close to Reyes as responding when asked if the Marlins said Reyes would not be traded.
But now both Buehrle and Reyes are likely headed north.
And the organization they’re leaving behind has added another major knick to its already poor reputation.
