Big Trade Means Blank Canvas for Marlins and Great Expectations for the Blue Jays

The baseball off-season has been relatively quiet so far but that ended today with a big boom.

The Marlins time as big spenders lasted only one season. When they opened their new stadium, they had high hopes for their franchise to become elite signing new players and Ozzie Guillen to the team. It didn't last long with attendance far from expectations, the team under performing, and Ozzie being infatuated with Fidel Castro.

So what are the Marlins going to do? Reboot their operating system to their last known save and that was when they were cheap. In a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Marlins are getting rid of Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio. All of them are going to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yunel Escobar and at least two prospects. According to a source telling ESPN "Just about any (Marlins) player making money is going to Toronto."

One season later it's new look, new stadium, same BS. Seeing that the Marlins finished last in the NL East and the Red Sox unloading all their financial burden on the Dodgers, it's easy to understand the decision the Marlins made getting rid of all these players. The Marlins look like they're not getting the fan attendance they were hoping for and because of that, it was probably best for them to go back to their small ball and farm system ways (you know, where every other team is farming their crop).

As for the Blue Jays, they seem to be taking on over $175 million worth of contracts. Not as much as the Dodgers were taking on in August but enough to turn heads. It might end up being the biggest deal done among the teams in the AL East. Because of this move, the Blue Jays will be expected to go farther this season than any other in recent memory. The pressure is now on them rather than the Marlins.

Hanley to Dodgers and Wandy to Pirates

The deadline approaches and a couple of teams have made some moves. One of them is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are actually in the mix in the NL Central as they are currently just 2.5 games back of the Reds. They have a good team but they wanted a bit more so they went out and got Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros in a trade in exchange for three minor league players. This already adds on to their pitching of James McDonald and AJ Burnett.

Meanwhile the Dodgers are in the same boat as the Pirates: contenders but currently 2.5 games back but in the NL West. Their offense has taken a hit this year and while getting Matt Kemp back from the DL helps, the team wanted a bit more in their lineup. Hanley Ramirez is the help they are getting. They get Hanley from the Marlins along with reliever Randy Choate in exchange for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and a minor league player. Though not the best avg., Hanley does bring some power and speed to the team.

These two moves are nice and show their respective fan bases that each side is trying to win now but they might not be the best moves available. The better move for the Pirates might've been going after Ryan Dempster of the Cubs or even Zack Greinke of the Brewers. I don't exactly have anyone off the top of my head for the Dodgers but I would've thought there would be someone they could get that would be better than... actually, now that I think about it, Hanley Ramirez is alright for them. No need to get any better.

Though fine moves, they may get a bit overshadowed by the fact that the Phillies and Cole Hamels have a new deal together. 6 year, $140 million extension gives that team some security. Pity it won't mean anything for this season.