Miami Marlins trade SS Yunel Escobar and his $5 million salary across state to Tampa Bay Rays

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Yunel Escobar's stay with the Miami Marlins lasted all of two weeks.

The payroll-slashing Marlins dealt the shortstop and his $5 million salary across Florida to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night for minor league infielder Derek Dietrich.

Escobar's departure lowers the Marlins' projected opening-day payroll to a major league-low $38 million, which includes $4.5 million owed Toronto next year, $1.5 million due to Arizona in 2013 as part of the Heath Bell trade and $1 million for a prorated share of Bell's signing bonus.

Acquired in the 12-player trade that sent Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson to Toronto on Nov. 19, Escobar batted .253 last season with nine homers and 51 RBIs.