Miami Marlins trade Yunel Escobar to Tampa Bay

• The Miami Marlins shed their 2013 opening day payroll once again
• Yunel Escobar to the Rays for infield prospect Derek Dietrich
• Escobar hit .253 for the Blue Jays in 2012

The Miami Marlins shed their 2013 opening day payroll once again by dealing Yunel Escobar to the Tampa Rays for infield prospect Derek Dietrich.

Escobar is owed $5 million in 2013 and has a $5 million club option for each of the next two seasons. With his departure, the Marlins' projected opening-day payroll is a major league-low $38 million.

However, Marlins president Larry Beinfest plans to reinvest the $5 million a third baseman. Escobar told the Marlins he was not comfortable moving from shortstop to third base.

Currently, the Marlins also have just $21 million is salary commitments for seven players and just one arbitration-eligible player.

With the trade, pitcher Ricky Nolasco becomes the highest-paid Marlins player earning more than $1.75 million in 2013. He is owed $11.5 million in the upcoming season.

The Marlins were openly shopping Escobar, whom they acquired in a 12-player blockbuster trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last month. He was the odd man out in the trade. Adeiny Hechavarria, who was also obtained in the trade, is projected as the Marlins' starting shortstop.

The 30-year-old Cuban, hit .253 for the Blue Jays in 2012.

The Rays had a need for a shortstop. Manager Joe Maddon used four different players at the position, with Elliot Johnson getting a majority of the starts (68).

In September, Escobar was suspended for three games after displaying an "unacceptable message" on his eye black.