Jeff Loria today did Jeff Loria things.
On the heels of a disappointing season, Loria, according to a multitude of people on Twitter, has gone back into payroll slashing mode in Florida, reportedly dealing shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher John Buck and starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle to the Toronto Blue Jays.
John Buck is owed $6.5 million for 2013. Josh Johnson is owed $13.75 million for 2013. They are both free agents after the season.
Mark Buehrle is owed $12 million for 2013, $19 million for 2014, and $20 million for 2015.
Jose Reyes is owed $10 million for 2013, $16 million for 2014, and $22 million per year from 2015-17.
After these players are moved, the only Marlins player who is scheduled to make more than $1.6 million in 2013 is Ricky Nolasco, who is owed $10 million.
Toronto just picked up two-fifths of a rotation and has an extra catcher that they will no doubt look to move to a team that is looking for a catcher, such as the Rangers, who were supposedly interested in Buck before he signed with Florida prior to the 2011 season.
They also picked up a new starting shortstop.
I will update this with info on who is going back to Florida as that develops.
Meanwhile, the Marlins now appear to be neck-and-neck with Houston in 2013 for the lowest payroll in baseball, while enjoying the fruits of the taxpayer-funded stadium that opened in 2012.
UPDATE -- Here's Giancarlo Stanton's reaction:
Alright, I'm pissed off!!! Plain & Simple
— Giancarlo Stanton (@Giancarlo818) November 13, 2012
UPDATE II -- The Marlins are reportedly getting Yunel Escobar, Henderson Alvarez, and prospects Jake Marsinick, Adeiny Hechevarria, and Justin Nicolino. The Jays are also getting Emilio Bonifacio. Considering Buck has negative value, and Mark Buehrle's backloaded contract means he has negative value, that's a pretty solid return for Florida.
UPDATE III -- Jeff Mathis is also going to the Marlins.
UPDATE IV -- Final deal appears to be Reyes, Johnson, Buehrle, Bonifacio, Buck and $4 million to Toronto for Escobar, Hechevarria, Alvarez, Marisnick, Mathis, Nicolino, and 22 year old minor league pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.