Mark Buehrle says Miami Marlins 'lied to' him before trade to Blue Jays

Pitcher Mark Buehrle was traded to the Blue Jays after posting a 3.74 ERA in his lone season with the Marlins. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The day after the Marlins officially completed their shocking trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and agent Jeff Berry issued a joint statement criticizing the Marlins for their handling of Buehrle's contract, reports the Sun-Sentinel.

The 33-year-old lefty signed a four-year, $58 million deal before the 2012 season, but was traded after just one year in Miami along with high-salaried stars Josh Johnson and Jose Reyes.

Buehrle's desire to reunite with former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen played a large role in his decision to sign. Guillen was fired after one season.

Buehrle and Berry's statement indicated that the team had assured him that the pitcher would remain in Miami long term.

“I’m upset with how things turned out in Miami,” Buehrle said. “Just like the fans in South Florida, I was lied to on multiple occasions. But I’m putting it behind me and looking forward to moving on with my career.”

“In an off-season of change and uncertainty, the overriding factor in Mark’s signing with Miami was Ozzie Guillen and the level of comfort his presence provided Mark and his family,” Berry said in his statement. “While the Marlins were the highest bidder, baseball had already made Mark a wealthy man, so money was far from the most important factor in his decision.

“Throughout the recruiting process, the Marlins made repeated assurances about their long-term commitment to Mark and his family and their long-term commitment to building a winning tradition of Marlins baseball in the new stadium. This was demonstrated by their already completed signings of Ozzie, Heath Bell and Jose Reyes.

Miami Herald