words // Brennan Hiro Williams

New name. New uniform. New stadium. Throw in two new, highly-paid All-Stars for good measure.

While owner Jeffrey Loria surely basks in this opulence like any half-a-billionaire would, the new-look Miami Marlins quickly propelled themselves up the National League ranks this week with a flurry of transactions at the 2011 Winter Meetings.

The Marlins signed MVP candidate and top free agent shortstop Jose Reyes, in addition to powerful closer Heath Bell, before bolstering their starting rotation with today’s acquisition of Mark Buehrle. At the time of this writing, it appears that the team narrowly missed out on signing the game’s top star, Albert Pujols, to a 10-year contract; however, their new signings, combined with existing stars Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton, should pay immediate dividends in the competitive NL East.

Photos via Y! Sports and ESPN.

Jose Reyes gets out of the box in his Under Armour baseball cleats.

Heath Bell and his Reebok Zig cleats made a memorable relief appearance in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.

Mark Buehrle, wearing Nike gear, strides to the plate in his last days as a member of the White Sox.

Hanley Ramirez makes a backhand stab with his Wilson A2000 1787 glove.

Prodigious slugger Mike Stanton puts one in the stands wearing Nike cleats.