Mark Buehrle released a statement firing back at the Miami Marlins who recently traded him along with Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and others to Toronto.
“I’m upset with how things turned out in Miami,” Buehrle said in a statement to the Sun Sentinel. “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.”
The statement came days after Larry Beinfest, Marlins president of baseball operations, said that he never offered any players assurances of any kind. Beinfest said any assurances, such as a trade clause, would have come in writing.
Buehrle’s agent Jeff Barry also released a statement.
“In an off-season of change and uncertainty, the overriding factor in Mark’s signing with Miami was (new manager) Ozzie Guillen and the level of comfort his presence provided Mark and his family,” Barry said. “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.
“At the same time, given the Marlins’ history, we were all certainly aware of and voiced concern about the lack of no-trade protection. This is unquestionably a business, and signing with the Marlins was a calculated risk. Mark held up his end of the bargain; unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the Marlins.”
Buehrle signed a four-year contract worth $58 million last off season. He finished the year 13-13 with a 3.74 ERA.
