"How's this for a tease: During his daily Winter Meetings media briefing Wednesday, President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest casually mentioned the Marlins backed out of what sounded like a major, three-team trade.

The Marlins didn't arrive here anticipating any Richter Scale-registering transactions, but something began percolating Tuesday afternoon and piqued the Marlins' interest enough to continue exploring it into Wednesday before it ultimately fizzled.

"On the surface it may have been interesting," Beinfest said. "It was interesting. We wanted to pursue it, and it dealt with some parts of our major league club. In the end, I don't think we were going to be able to make it work and have us comfortable with how it was going to end up.

"I don't think it's going to happen. I just don't see it happening. It was actually a lot bigger than anything we had contemplated. It was multi-player. I just don't think it's going to make sense."

Beinfest would not offer any more particulars. According to one source, one scenario involved the Rockies and would have sent Ricky Nolasco to Colorado. Another report suggested the Marlins made a play for 2009 American League Cy Young winner Zack Greinke.

From a financial standpoint alone, any scenario that involves the Marlins acquiring Greinke would be challenging even if the Marlins moved Nolasco and arbitration-eligible closer Leo Nunez. Greinke is owed $13.5 million each of the next two years. As a free agent heading into his age 29 season, keeping Greinke beyond 2013 would require a significant commitment in terms of both years and dollars."