Nationals officials including GM Mike Rizzo are visiting free agent lefty Mark Buehrle and his agents at his home in St. Louis today, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Kilgore says Buehrle is the team's top free agent choice. Roy Oswalt seems to be Plan B. The Nationals met with the agents for both pitchers at last week's GM Meetings.
Rizzo is looking for a horse, and the 32-year-old Buehrle fits the bill with 11 consecutive seasons of 201+ innings. As I noted in October, the Nationals have front-end rotation talent in Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, but neither is likely to be an innings-eater in 2012.
Aside from the Nationals, the Marlins, Cubs, Twins, Rangers, Yankees, Royals, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Angels reportedly have interest in Buehrle.
why do people think this guy is good!?
because he is…he was the ace of a world series team and has 11 consecutive seasons of 201+ innings pitched with only 2 seasons of an ERA over 4.00
Wrong – it was Contreas
Wrong – it was Contreas
That doesn’t make you an ace…based on that, Livan Hernandez and John Lannan [eventually] are near aces
he’s past his ACE stays but is a good #2 and a great # 3 which is what the nationals are looking for most likely
Because he’s a virtual lock for a sub-4 ERA and over 200 innings? I have no clue why anybody would find value in that….
not much under 4. and if having 200 innings and a sub 4 era means your an ace, then aces must really grow on trees
I never claimed he was an ace, because he’s not. But he’s a very valuable starting pitcher.
If they want someone who is realistically going to be out there every fifth day they need to bet it all on Buehrle. Would be a really smart investment as far as innings and leadership for a young and rising group of talented starters.
Oswalt would rather be hunting and working on his trucks than playing baseball anyways
“Aside from the Nationals, the Marlins, Cubs, Twins, Rangers, Yankees, Royals, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Angels reportedly have interest in Buehrle.”
Can’t forget his home team.
It was reported that the Cardinals are still interested in him some how. I assume “home team” means STL when his home is.
Buehrle’s interleague numbers are pretty good too. It would be very wise for a National League team to target him.
24-6; 3.32/1.196 over 271 innings.
This deal makes so much sense for the Nationals. Buehrle is a work horse and he can be a mentor for a young staff; especially for their young lefties ie; Detweiler, Lannan, Malone, Purke during Spring Training. Meyer during Spring training. A Buehrle, Strasburg, Zimmerman, Wang, Detweiler/Lannan rotation would be one of the top rotations in the NL. With Peacock, Malone in the que for Sept callups Washington’s rotation would be a huge strength. This also would free Washington to use Lannan in a possible trade for a centerfielder. In every scenario, this move makes too much sense for the Nationals
Just wondering if it makes sense for Buerhle. As a Nats fan, I hope so.
But I see the rotation this year with him as Strasburg, Zimmermann, Buehrle, Wang, Lannan.
I think that whomever gets signed will be the Opening Day starter. Strasburg/Zimmerman will probably only get 160-180 innings this year. Thats not Ace innings. Buehrle will be #1 starter.
jzimm will not be on an innings limit this season. i expect him 2 pitch 200+
That said, I see Strasburg in the #3 hole because it makes sense rotation-wise if you assume they want to a) skip him the first time through with the extra off day and b) start the home opener. Zimmermann, Buehrle, Strasburg, Wang, Lannan…but the first nine games are 1, 2, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Strasburg, Zimmermann, Buehrle, Wang, Lannan/Detwiler/Peacock/Milone is pretty solid
Now go out and sign either Cespedes(to a reasonable contract), or Sizemore(to a one year incentive laden deal) and I’ll consider it a successful off-season
If they sign Buehrle, I would expect them to trade Lannan in a package for a CF. Personally, I think eventually it will be BJ Upton. They have wanted him for two years now. I wish they would just make the deal a move on haha.
Meh.. I don’t want BJ Upton
IDK, I think a change of scenery could be good for him. He had a .330 OBP last year. His WAR also would have made him the best position player on the Nats also. So he does have value. I think a change of scenery would haelp him a lot to. Ryan Zimmerman is a childhood friend and there is a lot of veteran leadership with Werth, Zim and LaRoche. I wouldn’t feel hesistant about trading for him depending on the compensation. Norris, Ray and another prospect would probably be suffice.
IDK, I think a change of scenery could be good for him. He had a .330 OBP last year. His WAR also would have made him the best position player on the Nats also. So he does have value. I think a change of scenery would haelp him a lot to. Ryan Zimmerman is a childhood friend and there is a lot of veteran leadership with Werth, Zim and LaRoche. I wouldn’t feel hesistant about trading for him depending on the compensation. Norris, Ray and another prospect would probably be suffice.
Buehlre is well known to love pets, so when I read that Rizzo was looking for a horse, I thought he went to Buehlre to find an actual one ;X
At his home? Desperate much?
It’s not that uncommon. The Braves flew out to Billy Wagner’s home to convince him to sign.
RIZZO: Hey Mark was wondering if we could schedule a meeting to discuss what we can offer you in Washington.
Buehrle: Sure when would be a good time to meet? Hold on there is someone at the door…
That’s where you make the offer that captures the whole family (lots of dollars, hype for the city, plus they’ll throw in a congressman or two — where else can you get that unless you’re a CEO?).
Rizzo is just on his way home to Chicago for Thanksgiving – Free trip – Mike your wasting everyones time
wtf?
Does anyone else think the Nats should go after CJ Wilson? I know most think he isn’t worth the money, but hear me out.
Wilson has only been a starting pitcher for a couple of years after being a reliever, and he is already this good, so he is just going to get better. Plus, he performs during the season, which is what the Nationals need to actually get to the playoffs. Forget about his postseason performance right now, they just need to get there. And finally, by the time they get to the playoffs, in perhaps 2 years, he will have another two years of experience under him, and then I’d be willing to bet he does a little better in the playoffs, this time against NL teams with a pitcher. Put him as a lefty in a rotation with Strasburg and Zimmerman, and they would be really good. Just a thought.
our first round pick is not protected this year, I would rather not go after him, I would rather get buehrle, and if we had to give up our pick for say a slugging first baseman then I would be ok with it
Didn’t the new CBA do away with losing a first-round pick for signing a FA?
nats need an innings eater, not an ace. the reason we aren’t very interested in wilson is because he would most likely want a long term deal whereas buehrle we could sign for 2 or 3 years for alot less money.