Blue Jays, Marlins in big trade

The Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins have pulled off one of the largest trades in baseball history, Fox Sports and USA Today reported Tuesday. The outlets, citing unnamed sources, reported the Blue Jays will receive starting pitcher Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, shortstop Jose Reyes, infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck from the Marlins. In return, the Marlins will receive shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, a catcher (possibly starter J.P. Arencibia) and a pair of minor leaguers, Fox reported. The move appeared to be salary purge for the Marlins, especially with Reyes, who signed to a $106 million contract with the team two years ago, while Buehrle is due $52 million over three years of his current deal, USA Today said. The Marlins' moves came after a disappointing 69-93 season -- their first in a new $635 million stadium -- and the firing of Manager Ozzie Guillen. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, were seeking to upgrade their pitching to compete for an American League East crown in 2013.