Mark Buehrle, Miami Marlins Agree To Four-Year Contract

After making a run Tuesday night, the sense on Wednesday is that the Miami Marlins are basically out on Albert Pujols. Not out completely, but the underdogs. Yet Pujols wasn't the only free agent who had captured the Marlins' interest. The Marlins were also recently declared a finalist for free agent starter Mark Buehrle, and according to Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins done locked him up:

The news has since been confirmed by Jon Heyman. The Marlins were known to have offered Buehrle three years in the $36-39 million range before; they presumably beat out the Washington Nationals by guaranteeing a fourth year and a higher salary.

By signing Buehrle, the Marlins are expected to pull out of talks with C.J. Wilson, leaving him most likely to sign with the Angels. Buehrle joins Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez at the front of the Marlins' rotation.

Buehrle's also reunited with old Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, which might or might not have been a factor in his decision to sign. Maybe Guillen's presence drove Buehrle's price down. Maybe Guillen's presence drove Buehrle's price up. Maybe it had no effect at all!

Still, Buehrle's a prize, and he's the Marlins' prize, just like Heath Bell and Jose Reyes and God knows who else. It's worth noting that Buehrle is probably the best defensive pitcher in baseball, so he helps himself out. It's also worth noting that the new Marlins ballpark is expected to be pitcher-friendly - way more pitcher-friendly than where Buehrle's been playing his home games - which, along with the league change, should help keep Buehrle afloat.