The Cubs and Nationals might be among the suitors for free agent lefty Mark Buehrle this winter. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune hears from a source that the Cubs "would be interested Buehrle if the price tag and years aren't astronomical." And Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post wrote yesterday that "some individuals with ties to the Nationals believe they will pursue Buehrle."
Buehrle, 32, has spent his entire career with the White Sox after they drafted him in the 38th round in 1998. In each of the last 11 campaigns, he's reached a minimum of 201 regular season innings. Last year Buehrle posted a 3.59 ERA, 4.8 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 0.92 HR/9, and 44.9% groundball rate in 205 1/3 frames.
Buehrle is a Type B free agent, and SI's Jon Heyman wrote last month that the White Sox are expected to try to re-sign him to a two-year deal. Buehrle said in September he'd like to play two or three more years. He considers the NL a potentially interesting challenge, and has talked many times about pitching for his home-state Cardinals. However, the Cards don't appear to have a rotation opening for him. Buehrle doesn't seem inclined to play too far from home, yet he may have reservations about going to the crosstown Cubs. In theory, the Royals could be in play, but we haven't heard anything yet.
I ranked Buehrle 12th on my top 50 free agents list, predicting a return to the White Sox. Make your pick for Buehrle and 49 other free agents for a chance to win great prizes in MLBTR's new contest.
Buehrle seems like a guy who values comfort very highly, which is why I could see him signing with the Cubs, Sox, or Cards, but not really anyone else.
Cardinals need to trade Westbrook to Tampa and eat half his salary in a trade for Joe Maddon, then sign Buehrle on the cheap!
Wainwright
Carpenter
Buehrle
Garcia
Lohse
Tampa isn’t the Tampa that picked 1st every year, they’re actually pretty intelligent now.
Yeahhh but they still have no fans and spend no money… so nobody will care down there
That’s totally rational thinking. You get a cookie.
I dont want a cookie, I want friggin Joe Maddon on the Cards!
Will you settle for the cookie?
If the cookie is good enough to trade for Maddon maybe. Ill throw in Patterson too
He’s holding out for 2
one cookie now, and two cookies to be nom’d later
i wish i had a cookie :(
why would tampa want Westbrook? If Joe Maddon was available they could get way more than a Joe Westbrook.
Is Joe a better pitcher than Jake?
who is Joe Westbrook?
Cause the guy hits Grandslams
Lol you’re damaging that best fans in baseball reputation.
What can you say? He’s a man on a mission.
Just shows every fan base has a few characters… some more than others.
Why because I said I want Joe Maddon to coach the Cardinals next year?
No because you think that the Cards could trade for him for Jake Westbrook thereby implying that Jake Westbrook has value.
He went 12-9 on the year and is an incredible groudball pitcher. The guy has value, dont be stupid.
lol sorry for being stupid. LOL
If he got traded to the Rays, he would have a ton of value… for the Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, and Blue Jays as a batting practice pitcher.
I thought that was done already by this guy….
I remember that year when the Cardinals donated shirts to the less fortunate in chicago.. I think that did that to give cubs fans something proud to wear.
Ah ha ha ha. Who else but a Cub fan would have that at the ready?
He’s going to the Yanks
like cliff lee?
I heard they are planning on really targeting him, but I’m not sure that Buehrle has any interest in playing there.
I believe I posted that very possibility months ago, and was taken to task by White Sox fans who somehow think players share their dislike of the other team in town.
Ha ha Buehrle will never play for the Cubs.
he played for ozzie and kenny in the hood. can’t get any worse than that.
Pretty sure playing for the cubs tops that.
I’d take Ozzie, Kenny, and the possibility (regardless of how remote) of winning a championship over 100+ years of embarrassing failure any day.
He still won’t play in that dump called Wrigley
David Kaplan agrees: “Informed sources tell me that he has no interest in the Cubs and would not consider them”
why are Cardinals fans in Cubs/Sox news feeds? Ah yes they don’t have that many people in St. Louis to brag about their trophy. Why don’t you find some real life friends in the world, or real life, to talk to about it, and stop being stupid on every Cubs feed.
Did you really just stutter while you typed? Read the article! Cardinals are mentioned in this…
I do have “real life friends in the world” just so you know.. haha wow
“real life friends in the world” those letters and numbers on the keyboard?
Sorry, my bad, I did not read the whole article, but still your comment has nothing to do with the Cards… so….
The Buccos need to sign him!
When was the last time the Buccos signed anyone of value???
Hopefully this year they actually do sign some meaningful FAs, dropping bums like Cedeno is a good start.
Always felt like Mark Buehrle was under appreciated. His numbers aren’t quite as good overall as I expected, but he’s a great middle of the rotation guy for a good team.
From 2001 to 2011 he led all of MLB in IP, even ahead of CC and Halladay and he’s 7th in WAR over that span.
Buehrle must be pretty burly to log 11 consecutive seasons over 200 IP.
Kinda surprised, but glad to see the Royals mentioned. Buehrle is a tough, maddening pitcher; doesn’t blow people away, but it seems like batters usually have a difficult time making solid contact against him. He will be a great addition to ANY team, frankly, if he goes anywhere.
Proximity.
Wish the Bosox could get him, not sure if he wants to come east
If I were you I’d take a look at his splits in Fenway, against the yanks, and against the Rays before I’d make that wish.
Seems like most every team should/could be in on Buehrle…
Buehrle will be back with Sox – 3 tens option in 4th year.
If Rizzo wants someone (arms) trade for Danks. Like Danks and Frazor for Storen
yeah i’m sure the nats are beating down the sox’ door for that offer.
Trololol.
I know people who are friends with Buehrle, as of a couple of years ago his plans were either play for the Cardinals, the Sox or retire. I suppose the cubs might be a possibility, but I wouldn’t be shocked that if the sox don’t resign him that he retires.
Yeah I can’t see Jerry Reinsdorf letting Buehrle walk away. He will step in just like he did with Konerko and Pierzynski.
As a Jays fan, I think Buehrle would be very welcome in Toronto’s rotation.
Couldn’t even keep Halliday there, so it will continue to be double A pitching in TO. Players are not dumb.
Priceless
but some posters are really dumb. really
Posters on the other hand…
Buerhle would never go to the Cubs. He understands the rivalry and would not do that to the White Sox fans. He’ll stay with the Sox and they will probably trade Danks.
Yeah becase money never talks!
i think the nats should give him a look, but go after darvish as priority to buehrlie
if I’m not mistaken, was he not the 1 who last year said that he was possibly thinking about another year or so if he keeps pitching well & if not then retirement?
This sounds like it may be Theo sticking it to the Sox and increasing the cost of them resigning him. I don’t see any reasonable possibility of him ending up on the Cubs, but they could certainly drive the price up.
I’m sure the Nationals have interest in Wilson, Darvish, Buerhle, Oswalt, and Jackson to varying degrees
What about the Red Sox? They need SP, and can certainly afford him. He’s solid and consistent which is what the Red Sox need, I think that would be a pretty good fit, and not just saying that as a Sox fan.