12°c Overcast
17°c Cloudy with showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Buehrle rips Miami brass
Veteran pitcher says he was 'lied to on multiple occasions' by Marlins
Mark Buehrle signed a four-year, $58-million deal with the Marlins last year but was unceremoniously dealt to Toronto after only one season in Florida. (TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)
MIAMI -- Mark Buehrle issued a parting shot at Miami Marlins' management after his stay with the team lasted only one tumultuous season.
The left-hander, who signed a four-year contract a year ago, was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Buehrle, all-star shortstop Jose Reyes, right-hander Josh Johnson and two other players to the Toronto Blue Jays. With the deal, the Marlins pared $146.5 million in future payroll.
"I'm upset with how things turned out in Miami," Buehrle said in a statement issued Wednesday through his agent, Jeff Berry. "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."
Team President David Samson said the Marlins didn't lie to Buehrle, but instead were compelled to make drastic changes after a disastrous season that included a last-place finish and disappointing attendance in a new ballpark.
"I'm as sorry as he is that he was traded," Samson said during his weekly radio show on WINZ-AM. "There was no way we could have envisioned what happened, both on and off the field."
Buehrle signed a $58 million, four-year deal with the Marlins during their unprecedented spending spree a year ago. Part of the lure was the chance to pitch again for Ozzie Guillen, who had been Buehrle's manager with the Chicago White Sox.
The Marlins then finished last in the NL East at 69-93. Guillen was fired, and owner Jeffrey Loria ordered a dramatic reduction in payroll.
Miami fans were outraged because team officials had said the taxpayer-financed ballpark would ensure higher revenue and payrolls. Samson said spending reductions were necessary because 2012 attendance fell short of projections.
Berry said he and Buehrle were wary of signing with the Marlins because of their history of rapid roster turnover, and because of the team's longstanding policy against no-trade clauses.
"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," Berry said in a statement.
"At the same time, given the Marlins history, we were all certainly aware of and voiced concern about the lack of no-trade protection."
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 22, 2012 D5
More Baseball
- Back to Top
- Return to Baseball
More Baseball
(1 of 15 articles for today)
Dodgers open homestand with 7-0 loss to Cardinals
1:47 AM 0LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Dodgers returned home and lost for the fifth time in seven games, with sluggers Matt ...
Poll
Most Popular Baseball
- Sizzling offence, splendid pitching hallmarks of early success for Goldeyes
- Ballpark vendor fired after trip to bathroom
- Fish 4, Saltdogs 1
- Nurse moonlighting on Royals' fan entertainment crew revives girl, 14, who collapsed in stands
- Vendor fired at Houston's Minute Maid Park after taking tray of snow cones into bathroom
- Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez sells Miami Beach home for $30 million
- Encarnacion hits grand slam, Arencibia homers as Blue Jays beat Orioles 12-6
- Goldeyes sweep doubleheader, jump to 6-0
- Lawrie says ejection was unwarranted but crew chief says he showed bad etiquette
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Goldeyes shuffle roster on road trip
- Sizzling offence, splendid pitching hallmarks of early success for Goldeyes
- Vendor fired at Houston's Minute Maid Park after taking tray of snow cones into bathroom
- Rain cancels game between Goldeyes and Amarillo
- Ballpark vendor fired after trip to bathroom
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Goldeyes sweep doubleheader, jump to 6-0
- Canseco says he's been falsely accused
- Fish 4, Saltdogs 1
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes shuffle roster on road trip
- Sizzling offence, splendid pitching hallmarks of early success for Goldeyes
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Vendor fired at Houston's Minute Maid Park after taking tray of snow cones into bathroom
- Rift repaired, Little League and family of founder Carl Stotz collaborate on museum exhibit
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Rain cancels game between Goldeyes and Amarillo
- Back at ballpark after being hit by line drive, pitcher JA Happ says 'I feel really fortunate'
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Happy campers
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- MLB suspends, fines umpires after acknowledging 2nd mistake in 2 days
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Ballpark vendor fired after trip to bathroom
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.