The blockbuster trade between the Blue Jays and Marlins that sent a host of stars to Toronto began with a call about Miami's Josh Johnson.

Alex Anthopoulos had long set his sights on Johnson and he spoke with Larry Beinfest at the general managers' meetings in California.

Beinfest started dropping names of Toronto prospects. Suddenly, Johnson became a piece in a much bigger puzzle.

"I said, 'Well, if we're going to have to be giving up some of our better young players, we better try to go big and really impact the club," Anthopoulos said.