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Buehrle, in celebrationBy all accounts, the Texas Rangers are interested in any and all starting pitcher on the market.
This could mean two things: 1) They are sincerely interested in every starting pitcher on the market; or 2) they are attempting to act coy in front of C.J. Wilson.
It's junior high romance: Act all handsy with another person to get your ex to think you're not interested anymore even though you're totally interested still.
Mark Buehrle is one of those guys that seems always on the Rangers' radar once the trade deadline rolls around in July. It's almost a miracle that he's not a Ranger, actually, as much as he's been rumored to be. Among local lore, he's most noted for no hitting the Rangers in 2007 and then throwing a perfect game against Tampa in 2009.
I personally remember him being the guy that talks about retirement at a relatively young age. He's 32 now and I remember at least three years ago him mentioning quitting. He never did and I don't remember any recent rumors.
I think he's perked the ears of the Rangers and its fans because he's been so hard on them throughout his career. He's 12-5 lifetime with a 3.42 ERA. At the Ballpark, he's 5-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
Buehrle doesn't do a lot well. He doesn't throw hard and subsequently gets hit pretty hard. He allowed a lot of hits, runs and home runs. He doesn't strike many out at all -- he's had more than 115 strikeouts once in the last five years. And as much contact as he forces, he has a miserably low groundball-flyout ratio (not even 1:1 for his career).
Still, Buehrle will probably wind up pitching effectively until he's 39 and will sneak into retirement with 230 career wins or something. He locates very well and is smart. He does more with less, to a certain extent.
There are things he does very well. He's extremely durable. He's pitched 200 innings in every season as a full-time starter, 11 seasons and counting. He will get you 200 innings and 13 wins, at least.
He's also proved to be good in the post-season. In the White Sox' World Series run he went 2-0 in three starts with a 12:1 strikeout to walk ratio. He's also a very good fielding pitcher -- a point of weakness for the Rangers -- winning the Gold Glove three times, including this year.
At 32, this is Buerhle's real last chance at a long-term contract. A number of teams are interested and that'll drive the price up. He was making $14 million for the White Sox and I suspect this will stay around there. I can't imagine it competing with C.J. Wilson's potential nine-figure deal, but you never know what desperate teams will do in free agency.
I don't mind Buehrle. I certainly wouldn't overpay to get him. I think the Rangers want some veteran presence in the rotation. If they can get it for a reasonable price, that is. Buehrle would provide that steady hand, not quite an ace but a guy that takes the ball with verve every fifth day.
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