MIAMI -- The latest purge by Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria targeted the personnel department rather than the dugout. President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. In reaction to parting with Loria, Beinfest said: "It was time." The owner also fired Jim Fleming, who had been with the Marlins for 12 seasons and was Beinfests special assistant. Beinfest and Fleming were dismissed with two years left on their contracts. Loria said he would soon make further announcements about a new structure in baseball operations, and Marlins executive Dan Jennings is considered a strong candidate to replace Beinfest. Jennings has been with the team for 11 seasons and is vice-president of player personnel and assistant general manager. Another possible candidate is vice-president and general manager Mike Hill, who has been with the Marlins for six seasons. Beinfest provided a measure of stability during the Marlins frequent payroll purges and changes in managers -- theyve had five since 2010, with Mike Redmond holding the job this season. Beinfest was general manager in 2003 when the Marlins made an improbable run to the World Series title. But there has been no return to the playoffs since, with Lorias tight payrolls making it difficult for the franchise to be competitive. The Marlins moved into a new ballpark last year, but their fortunes on the field only declined, and their loss total has risen each of the past four years. This season has been especially dismal, with the team ranking last in the majors in runs, home runs and batting, ensuring the seventh last-place finish in the franchises 21 years. Beinfest also worked under Loria in 2001 with the Montreal Expos. When Loria bought the Marlins before the 2002 season, he brought Beinfest along. "Larry has worked with me for 13 years, making huge contributions to our efforts and serving as a partner to me in the process," Loria said in a statement announcing the firing. "I wish him nothing but the best and know he will make a great addition wherever he lands." Beinfest sent a text message to media outlets as the Marlins began batting practice before the start of a game against Detroit with a record of 59-100, worst in the NL. "I was just fired by Jeffrey Loria," Beinfest wrote. "I want to thank the Marlins for the opportunity. I look back positively at tackling numerous challenges, opening a new ballpark and enjoying a World Series championship. I worked with some tremendous players and staff in Miami and appreciate their friendship and professional respect. "I look forward to continuing my 24-year MLB career in the near future." Despite the Marlins poor record, Beinfest won praise for his acquisitions of prospects after Loria ordered the high-payroll 2012 team dismantled. A blockbuster trade with Toronto last November brought to Miami promising youngsters Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez and Jake Marisnick. Young starters Nate Eovaldi and Jacob Turner were also acquired in recent deals to trim the budget. And 2011 first-round draft pick Jose Fernandez is a strong contender to win NL Rookie of the Year. Coincidentally, a player involved in Beinfests worst trade was back in Miami on Friday -- reigning AL MVP and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers. The Marlins dealt him to Detroit in a 2007 trade that netted little in return. A succession of poor drafts under Beinfest also hurt the Marlins, who have never won a division title. They won the World Series in 1997 and 2003 after making the playoffs as a wild-card team. Cheap New Balance Shoes China . Kuper, a fifth-round pick in Denvers 2006 draft, started 79 games at guard over eight seasons. He dislocated his left ankle in the last game of the 2011 regular season, and though he started another seven games after that, he never returned to his previous level. Discount New Balance Shoes .com) - Former foes from the Mountain West Conference battle in the 23rd annual Las Vegas Bowl, as the 23rd-ranked Utah Utes clash with the Colorado State Rams at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. http://www.newbalancediscount.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have fired receivers coach Ike Hilliard. New Balance Shoes Clearance Sales . With a win tonight, Buehrle will match Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka for the most wins in the majors with 11. Buehrle is 10-4 with a 2.32 earned run average, but has lost his last three starts, including a 7-3 setback at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday. Wholesale New Balance Shoes .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown.MIAMI - So much for Miami needing time to find its way with a rebuilt roster.The Heat are the last unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference.Chris Bosh scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 19 points and Miami beat Toronto 107-102 on Sunday night, the 16th straight win for the Heat over the Raptors.The guys, they see how our team will have to play to be successful, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.Wade also finished with 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Heat (3-0). Luol Deng scored 18 points, Shawne Williams added 16 and Mario Chalmers finished with 12 for Miami.DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points for Toronto (2-1), which hasnt beaten Miami since Jan. 27, 2010.They executed well, especially down the stretch, DeRozan said. Weve got to understand when we play against a good team theyre going to play well down the stretch.Its hard to see why DeRozan lauded Miamis late execution. The Heat shot 4-for-17 in the fourth quarter and missed eight free throws in the final 12 minutes.And they won.This is all going to help us later, Wade said.Kyle Lowry added 22, including a layup that got the Raptors within four with 21 seconds left. Jonas Valanciunas scored 14 and Greivis Vasquez finished with 12 for Toronto, which was outrebounded 43-28.I guess its just effort, Bosh said. We know a lot of people arent expecting us to do much on the boards.Miami led by as many as 16 late in the third quarter before the Raptors came roaring back, starting with a 6-0 run to close the third and get within 10. Toronto got within six twice midway through the fourth, before Shawne Williams made a pair of big plays for Miami.He tipped in a missed 3-point try by Mario Chalmers for an eight-point lead and after DeRozans 3-pointer with 5:23 left got Toronto within five, he answered with a 3 of his own from the left corner to restore Miamis cushion.Lowry had a chance to get Toronto within fivve again when he was fouled on a 3-pointer with about 2 minutes left, but missed two of the three tries.dddddddddddd The Raptors missed 15 free throws on the night, after missing a total of 16 in their first two games.At the defensive end, its from start to finish, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. You dont just guard for 23 seconds. You guard for 24 and then come up with the rebound. Were not doing that right now.TIP-INSRaptors: Drake, the teams most recognizable fan, was courtside. ... The Raptors shot 39 free throws and now have a 120-79 edge over opponents in that department so far in this young season. ... Patrick Patterson got the start at forward in place of Amir Johnson, who was out with a sore left ankle.Heat: F Josh McRoberts had to leave the game in the fourth quarter — not because of injury, but because he tore off his jersey. He was quickly issued a replacement. ... .Miami was without F Chris Andersen (sore ribs) and F Udonis Haslem (sore quadriceps). ... Miami used 11 players in the first half and each scored. ... Wade played in both ends of the back-to-back, something he did only three times last season.RARE WADEWade was 4 for 4 in the first quarter, with four rebounds and three assists. It was just the second time in his career that he made at least four shots without a miss in a quarter, along with having at least that many rebounds and assists. He had a 6-for-6, four-rebound, three-assist third quarter on Jan. 8, 2006 against Portland.PERFECT WEEKENDMiami fans enjoyed a perfect weekend. The Heat went 2-0, while the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers and Miami Hurricanes football team all went 1-0. According to STATS, its the fourth time those teams posted a win on the same weekend and the first time they went a combined 5-0 over a Saturday and Sunday.UP NEXTRaptors: Toronto hosts Oklahoma City on Tuesday.Heat: Miami hosts Houston on Tuesday. Wholesale HoodiesNFL Shirts OutletJerseys NFL WholesaleCheap NFL Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale Jerseys CheapCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '