MLB: Marlins Agree With Mark Buehrle on 4-Yr, $58 Million Deal

Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The Miami Marlins plucked another free agent prize Wednesday, reaching a deal with four-time All-Star pitcher Mark Buehrle for $58 million over four years.

Manager Ozzie Guillen praised Buehrle over and over at baseball’s winter meetings. They were together on the Chicago White Sox this season, and Guillen was eager to have the left-hander on his side next year.

“This kid is special,” Guillen said. “He pitched in the big scenarios, big moments, very tough city to pitch. When people love you in Chicago, that means something.”

Buehrle’s deal is subject to a physical, which the sides were arranging.

While the Marlins were landing Buehrle, there were also significant developments in the Albert Pujols sweepstakes. The Marlins are now out of the running for Pujols, reports ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, leaving St. Louis as the prime candidate to sign the three-time MVP.

While one source said the agent Dan Lozano called the Marlins and told them they were no longer in the race, another person close to the situation said the team decided to withdraw after signing Buehrle.

But even with the Marlins out of the race, St. Louis still has some competition for Pujols. The Cubs are known to be interested, and a USA Today report said a third unidentified team is also in the mix.

The 32-year-old Buehrle has been one of the majors’ most durable and effective pitchers for more than a decade. He has reached double figures in victories and thrown over 200 innings in each of the last 11 seasons, all with the White Sox.

Buehrle was 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA this year and won his third straight Gold Glove.

Buehrle is among the fastest workers in the big leagues. It works for him — he’s thrown two no-hitters while going 161-119 in the majors, including a perfect game against Tampa Bay in 2009.

A workhorse for the White Sox, he helped them win the 2005 World Series when he even made a relief appearance. Chicago offered him salary arbitration last month, but he decided to find a new home after a visit to Miami, where the Marlins will move into a new ballpark next season.

“Him moving from the American League to the National League, it’s a big step for us,” Guillen said.

“I think he’s comfortable because I know what I’m going to get from him, and he knows what’s going to come from us, and I think that helps,” he said.

White Sox GM Kenny Williams was disappointed to lose Buehrle, but wished him well.

“Like I said, he will be missed,” Williams told ESPNChicago.com. “I just told the Marlins owner he has one great pitcher but a better person. I’m happy for (Buehrle) but we have to move forward. I wish he and the Marlins well.”

Miami also had offers out to C.J. Wilson, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney.

ESPN’s Karl Ravech reports that Wilson is set to fly to Dallas for an announcement in the next 48 hours, signaling that the finish line is close.

It may come down to whether the Angels match the Marlins with a six-year offer. If they don’t, Wilson would have to decide if he wants to take fewer years to go west. Wilson is from California.

Hanley Ramirez’s representative talked to the Marlins on Wednesday and asked for a restructured deal after the shortstop was asked to move to third base with the signing of Jose Reyes. The Marlins, upset with this, now are looking to trade Ramirez, the sources said.

If the Marlins can clear the payroll, they will pursue Milwaukee Brewers free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

“Of the top guys out there, we signed (closer Heath) Bell, we signed Buehrle and we signed Reyes,” Guillen said. “That means we’re showing people that they want to play for us, and for me.”

One source said the Marlins told Pujols’ camp if the team reached a deal Wednesday with one of their pitching targets, it would end their pursuit of Pujols. With Buehrle agreeing, Miami’s 10-year offer to Pujols, that sources say would pay him more than $200 million and include provisions that would link Pujols to the Marlins beyond his playing career, was pulled off the table.

WRITTEN BY Information from ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick and The Associated Press contributed to this report & FULL STORY HERE