Tweet
Mark Buehrle won't be the biggest ticket available at the trading deadline.
The White Sox ace agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with Chicago on Sunday, taking the most attractive pitcher on the rumor mill off the market.
The contract essentially includes a no-trade clause through the 2008 season, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports, as Buehrle must consent to any deal. The deal also includes an escalator clause that will make the deal worth $75 million over five years if he is traded before the contract runs out.
Buehrle will have 10-5 rights by the 2009 season, meaning he would have to consent before being traded under baseball's collective bargaining agreement.
Fans at Sunday's game were told over the public address system that Buehrle had signed as the White Sox left the field following a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. In the eighth inning, Buehrle was seen in the dugout hugging manager Ozzie Guillen and his teammates.
On Saturday, Buehrle (6-4) allowed six hits over eight scoreless innings to a Twins team that had 36 hits in the two games Friday, including eight homers. He also benefited from four double plays.
"There is no question what Mark Buehrle means to this organization, our clubhouse and our fans," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "He is one of the very best left-handers in the game today. We cannot be happier to reach this agreement with Mark, and now look forward to this team winning games the remainder of this season and in future years with Mark on the mound."
Comment