Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria defends blockbuster deal with Blue Jays
In a stunning move, the Miami Marlins reportedly agreed to a trade on Tuesday that would send five veterans, including former All-Stars Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and Jose Reyes, to the Toronto Blue Jays for shortstop Yunel Escobar and a package of prospects.
The trade has since been criticized as another Marlins fire sale, with more than $160 million in salary being sent to Toronto. But on Wednesday, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria defended the trade in an interview with CBSSports.com, saying that the organization has "to take a new course."
"We finished in last place. Figure it out," a defiant Loria said.
Loria emphatically said he isn't selling the team.
"Absolutely not," Loria said. "That's more stupidity."
Loria took issue with the coverage and suggested selling the team's veteran stars was the right course of action.
"We have to get better," Loria said. "We can't finish in last place. We finished in last place. That's unacceptable."
Meanwhile, the team is reportedly also looking to trade outfielder/first baseman Logan Morrison and starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post:
https://twitter.com/joecapMARLINS/status/268791642394357760
