On Tuesday, reports broke across the baseball world that the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins had agreed to a 12-player deal.
In the trade, the Jays are reported to have picked up shortstop Jose Reyes, left-hander Mark Buehrle, right-hander Josh Johnson, infielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck.
In exchange, shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, as well as starter Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis, pitching prospect Justin Nicolino, outfield prospect Jake Marisnick and minor league right-hander Anthony DeSclafani will all be heading to South Beach.
Immediately following the report and also on Wednesday, reaction was passionate and varied in columns, on Twitter and across sports radio and television.
On Twitter, the reaction from members of the Toronto Blue Jays was that of tempered excitement.
"Can't wait to hear the magic words....ITS OFFICIAL!!!," reliever Casey Janssen posted on his Twitter account, @CaseyJanssen.
Slugger Jose Bautista was also excited to hear the news.
"Its a good day to be a bluejay!," Bautista posted on @JoeyBats19.
Starter Ricky Romero was also very happy at the possibility of the talent that could be joining his ranks with the Blue Jays.
"Watcha think Toronto?! I'm still waiting for those "It's Official" words. But I am beyond excited for the city, fans and the team," Romero posted on his account, @RickyRo24.
Across the league, baseball experts were also weighing in on the possibilities created by the mega-deal.
ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney joined TSN's Off The Record with Michael Landsberg to break down the deal from a purely baseball perspective.
"The Blue Jays, in the eyes of rival executives, didn't give up a lot of talent to get Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson," said Olney. "Everyone I've talked to today says there is no question this trade makes the Blue Jays better.
"There were a lot of questions asked about if Jose Reyes will be able to stay healthy with his history of leg injuries while playing on an artificial surface," Olney continued. "Will Josh Johnson bounce back from what was a very mediocre season and will Mark Buehrle, who is a fly ball pitcher, be able to succeed in that ball park pitching in a tougher division.
"I would say the perception around baseball is that it's a qualified success for the Blue Jays."
Former MLB pitcher Mitch Williams, who is now an analyst for the MLB Network, was also a guest on Off The Record and believes this elevates the Jays from a .500 team to a playoff possibility.
"They're a contender in the East. I look at this trade and I look at the arms they are getting back and a shortstop who is an absolute nightmare for pitchers on the base paths in Reyes. They also get speed in Bonifacio that can play a bunch of positions and they get Buck back as a catcher. This is a huge deal for the Blue Jays."
Former MLB infielder Aaron Boone, who now works for ESPN, believes the Toronto fan base should be excited by the deal.
"This to me all of a sudden makes them a real player in the East, maybe even the favourite. The Blue Jays really upped the ante as far as their organization is concerned, especially if they are able to stabilize their bullpen."
TSN baseball analyst Dan Shulman also commented on the trade via Twitter.
"Not sure I would proclaim #jays as favorites in AL East yet, but if Johnson stays healthy, and Reyes and Buehrle can have their typical…season, the deal helps them immensely. Still need a Romero bounce back, a healthy Bautista and more from Rasmus."
Not everyone was happy about the deal. Two members of the Miami Marlins were less than pleased as they updated their verified twitter accounts.
Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reacted negatively while the rumours of the names being dealt started to become public.
"Alright, I'm pissed off!!! Plain & Simple," Stanton tweeted from his account, @Giancarlo818.
While pitcher Ricky Nolasco (@RNolasco47) simply tweeted "Huh?......."
