My only lasting memory of the Montreal Expos is when my parents bought me a Florida Marlins baseball cap at a game. I kept badgering them for that nifty, teal-colored cap with the fish. I didn’t care for baseball as a child, but their cool logo gave the Marlins a new supporter.

In 2012, the Marlins completely revamped their look to coincide with the inauguration of a new ballpark and their move to Miami. They quickly became the flashiest team in baseball. Its stylish, brightly-coloured logo and outrageous home run statue in the stadium have allowed the team to fulfill the promise of their revamped image. Surprisingly, the Marlins—traditionally a small market team—completed the overhaul with uncharacteristically big free-agent signings. They were finally relevant, and looked to be competitive in a tough National League East.

It turns out that it was all an illusion, orchestrated by the greatest magician in baseball, Marlins owner, Jeffrey Loria. Last Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays and Marlins pulled off one of the largest trades in baseball history. In return for a slew of prospects, Toronto received some of the very same players Miami signed just a year ago. By purging their payroll, the Marlins reverted back to the shoddy business model that has frustrated their fans for years.

This latest cash-saving strategy has substantial political and economical implications that go beyond alienating fans. The city of Miami made a significant commitment to the team by agreeing to fund nearly 80 per cent of its new ballpark. By combining interest, the sum amounts to a staggering $2.4 billion subsidized by taxpayers. Loria has clearly violated the trust and good faith of the people of Miami, by ridding the team of its best players. In a city like Miami, home to one of the U.S.’s highest poverty rates, how are local politicians supposed to justify the decision to allocate scarce monetary resources to a non-competitive team? What about all those businesses in the Marlins Park vicinity that depend on fan presence? The deal even prompted the mayor of Miami to write Commissioner Bud Selig a letter, asking him to review the trade “in the best interest of the residents, taxpayers and fans.”

In 2010, the MLB Players’ Association (MLBPA) was unhappy with the way the Marlins managed their revenue-sharing funds. In an effort to encourage more investment in player salary, the MLBPA and the Marlins signed off on an agreement to have the team’s finances monitored. Ironically, the agreement expired at the end of the 2012 campaign, and the Marlins have now conveniently dumped more than $160 million in player salary on the Jays. It’s also worth mentioning that the trade was completed after the Marlins received next year’s season ticket renewals. It’s a pipe dream, but those fans should be reimbursed following the false advertisement and Loria’s deceit.

The Marlins have damaged their image by fooling baseball fans and ruining what was supposed to be a fresh, new start for a struggling franchise.

I was intrigued by the Marlins’ new flashy colours and funky fish. As a background supporter, I received their new baseball cap as gift from my sister, which rekindled a fond childhood memory. A year later, I find that same excitement has been washed away by a careless owner. While currently a member of Red Sox Nation, I can only imagine the frustration of Marlins die-hards who have to endure yet another rebuild.

At least the Marlins haven’t traded away Giancarlo Stanton—though, knowing Loria, I wouldn’t put it past him.