Marlins Sign Mark Buerhle to 4 Year, $58 Million Deal

[MiamiHomer]

Brendan_Tobin Brendan Tobin
From @jaysonst Marlins in negotiations with both Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson -- and could end up signing either or both LHPs. #PlanC

jaysonstark does

[Ralph]

Fuck it why not.

[TheMendozaLine]

Get both! And get them today!

[MiamiHomer]

DALLAS -- Even as Albert Pujols continued to mull 10-year contract offers from the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, Miami was working aggressively on a Plan B in case Pujols heads back to St. Louis. Sources: And that Plan B can be summed up in two words: Starting pitching.

The Marlins were described by multiple sources as being "well down the road" in negotiations with both Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson -- and could end up signing either or both left-handed pitchers.

One source said the Marlins have told both pitchers, as well as Pujols' camp, that if the team is able to reach a deal Wednesday with one of their pitching targets, that would effectively end their pursuit of Pujols. Miami has made a 10-year offer to the free-agent first baseman that sources say would pay him more than $200 million and include provisions that would link Pujols to the Marlins beyond his playing career.

Buehrle is down to three teams, a source told ESPN.com, and talks with those clubs were "accelerating" Wednesday. The Marlins and Washington Nationals are two of those teams, sources said. Other clubs believe the third is the Texas Rangers.

Wilson is being actively pursued by the Marlins and Los Angeles Angels. His agent, Bob Garber, also met Tuesday with his old team, Texas. The Nationals also maintain interest but are reluctant to guarantee either Wilson or Buehrle more than three years, sources said.

Sources: Marlins target left-handers

[Omar]

It seems that they've taken the stance that 'here's the money, first two to arrive at our door gets it'

Good for them.

[TheMendozaLine]

It seems that they've taken the stance that 'here's the money, first two to arrive at our door gets it'

Good for them.

I love it.

[lou]

If the Marlins sign both Buerhle and CJ, I would imagine Nolasco gets moved for salary relief and keep Volstad. I'm down.

[Metes]

That would be a-okay with me

JJ
CJ
Buerhle
Anibal
Volstad

[Omar]

I'd feel kind of bad for Volstad if he's the fifth part of that rotation. We'd just be angry at him all the time.

[TheMendozaLine]

That would be a-okay with me

JJ
CJ
Buerhle
Anibal
Volstad

I like 1-4, but 5 makes me sad.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

If the Marlins sign both Buerhle and CJ, I would imagine Nolasco gets moved for salary relief and keep Volstad. I'm down.

I would tend to agree (and, no, it's not because I like Volstad). Buerhle and Wilson combined are more than what we would be paying Pujols. I would definitely think we'd need to clear some payroll.

[MiamiHomer]

I like 1-4, but 5 makes me sad.

Every other team in the majors can say that about their 5.

[Metes]

If you can have your 5 as a league average starter and he'll make $2.5m, I'll take that

I'm also projecting a big improvement this year for Volstad

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

I'd feel kind of bad for Volstad if he's the fifth part of that rotation. We'd just be angry at him all the time.

So nothing would change...

[Omar]

If you can have your 5 as a league average starter and he'll make $2.5m, I'll take that

I'm also projecting a big improvement this year for Volstad

Well, yes. No rain delays.