Baseball’s hot stove talk may be about to be stoked with a firesale. Multiple news outlets reported Tuesday the Miami Marlins are preparing to send shortstop Jose Reyes, pitcher Josh Johnson and three other high-priced players to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays also would get pitcher Mark Buehrle, catcher John Buck and center fielder Emilio Bonifacio. In return, the Marlins would get shortstop Yunel Escobar and prospects infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, left-hander Justin Nicolino outfielder Jake Marisnick.
The trade of some of the team’s biggest talent would come one season after Marlins had signed a number of high-priced free agents, including Reyes and manager Ozzie Guillen, entering the first year of their new stadium. However, the Marlins finished last in the National League East division with a 69-93 record, 29 games behind division winner Washington.
Guillen was fired Oct. 23.
The deal also would set up the Blue Jays as one of the favorites in the highly competitive American League East. Last season they finished 73-89, 22 games behind the division champion New York Yankees.
Reyes, one of the most sought-after free agents last season, had a disappointing 2012. He hit .287 with 40 stolen bases and 57 RBIs. Buehrle was 13-13 last season with a team-leading 3.74 ERA while Johnson went 8-13 with a 3.81 ERA and 165 strikeouts.
Escobar hit .253 last season with 51 RBIs and nine home runs.