Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins Blockbuter trade

Tonight marks the real start of the 2012-2013 MLB off-season. In a deal that will be finalized tomorrow (Wednesday), the Marlins will be shipping the bulk of their fish up to the birds up north (see what I did there). 


Toronto receives:
Jose Reyes-SS
Josh Johnson-SP
Mark Buehrle-SP
John Buck-C
Emilio Bonifacio-UTL

Miami receives:
Yunel Escobar-SS
(Infamous for this eye-black incident)
Adeiny Hechavarria-SS
And up to 4 prospects including #32 ranked prospect-
Jake Marisnick-OF

Reaction- There was a major buzz coming into last spring. The Marlins had acquired Jose Reyes to pair with veteran Hanley Ramirez. While things seemed uneasy over the position change, the Marlins were projected to have a big season. They had moved to Miami, changed their logo, and built a masterpiece of a stadium. For some reason, right before the trade deadline Miami unloaded Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. The Marlins were not doing well but getting rid of guys like Omar Infante, Anibal Sanchez, and Ramirez was not the brightest idea. It had only been half a season and unless the Marlins have a crazy master plan, they are going in the wrong direction

On the other hand, this is the kind of deal the Blue Jays needed. The AL East consists of the loaded New York Yankees, the unbelievable pitching staff of the Tampa Bay Rays, the newfound Baltimore Orioles, and the usually good but not recently Boston Red Sox. Now welcome a 5th competitor. I am not sure why teams do not try to make deals like this more often in Toronto's case. I understand they are taking on enormous contracts but they are giving their team a chance to win. Jose Bautista has been their 40 home run guy only hindered by injury last season. This year, Edwin Encarnacion broke onto the scene and smashed 42 himself. Adding 2 starting pitchers and an excellent shortstop in Reyes, the AL East just got that much more competitive. I think Tampa Bay is the team that takes a step back this season and the AL East finishes accordingly.

New York-Division Winner
Baltimore-Wild Card
Toronto-Misses playoffs
Tampa Bay-Misses playoffs
Red Sox-Misses playoffs