When in the presence of greatness, one must acknowledge the greatness. In that vein: Jeffrey Loria, that's some business you're running down there in Miami. But, the gall, that's what makes you special.

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It seems like only yesterday we pondered the notion of the Miami Marlins seizing their hardball destiny, conducting themselves like adults, spending money they'd for years siphoned from fans and fellow franchises, and then putting a serious team on the field. It was amazing. Inspiring even. And then we wondered exactly how long before they blew it up.

If you had seven months (Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante) or 10 months (Heath Bell, Ozzie Guillen), you'd get partial credit. Eleven months? Winner.

There is a soaring tolerance to humiliation on Marlins Way. Perhaps that is the true greatness of Loria and his Marlins. Even as they spoke of honesty and loyalty in luring free agents to Miami, they doggedly refused to consider no-trade protection. Did they know this contingency existed, even then? Had they planned on it?

Even as they spoke of the entire organization being culpable for 2012, the man they fired was Guillen, who helped recruit the free agents and would have howled the loudest at this outcome. Did the Marlins have a one-year plan all along? Will you believe them when they say they didn't?

On Tuesday, the Marlins – owner Loria, president David Samson, other president Larry Beinfest, general manager Michael Hill – reportedly were to trade five of their better (and most expensive) players to the Toronto Blue Jays, leaving the Marlins in their more familiar place. That is, in rebuild, in denial, and in last place. And, very likely come April, all alone in their new $634 million ballpark.

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The 12-man trade, the core of which was first reported by Fox Sports and could be finalized as early as Wednesday, stands as follows:

The Marlins would jettison right-hander Josh Johnson, left-hander Mark Buehrle, shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio. In return, the Blue Jays would send to Miami shortstop Yunel Escobar, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis, minor league left-hander Justin Nicolino, minor league right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and minor league outfielder Jake Marisnick.

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