DALLAS — The 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 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.
The Marlins have been the busiest team by far in the majors this week, spending $191 million on three prime free agents. They previously landed two all-stars: shortstop Jose Reyes and closer Heath Bell.
Marlins president David Samson said Miami had withdrawn its $200 million-plus offer to Albert Pujols, who appears headed back to Cardinals but two other unidentified teams are in pursuit of the slugger, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Buehrle, 32, 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 more than 200 innings in each of the last 11 seasons, all with the White Sox. He went 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.
Pirates sign Bedard, McLouth
PITTSBURGH — Nate McLouth is back to finish what he started. The outfielder agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Pirates, returning to the team he spent his most productive seasons with from 2005-09 before being traded to the Braves.
“It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made in my life,” said McLouth, who will be guaranteed $1.75 million, with another $450,000 possible in performance bonuses. “It’s a no-brainer.”
McLouth hit .228 in 2011 with a career-low four homers in 81 games with the Braves.
The Pirates agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard and signed free-agent catcher Jose Morales to a minor-league deal.
Bedard went 5-9 with a 3.62 ERA in 24 starts between the Mariners and the Red Sox after missing the 2010 season with a shoulder injury.
The Pirates also acquired infielder Yamaico Navarro from the Royals for two minor-leaguers.
Dodgers, Fox battle over rights
WILMINGTON, Del. — Attorneys for the Dodgers and Fox Sports squared off in court over the team’s plan to sell the media rights to games starting in 2014 as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
The Dodgers are asking a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Delaware to approve a process for selling the television rights to future games as part of a settlement with Major League Baseball that also calls for the sale of the team and Dodger Stadium.
Fox, whose Prime Ticket subsidiary owns the current television contract with the Dodgers, is challenging the proposed sale process, saying it would violate Fox’s rights under the existing contract. Testimony was scheduled to resume today.
Footnotes.
Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez and Blue Jays second baseman Kelly Johnson accepted salary arbitration offers and returned to their respective teams.
• The Yankees won negotiating rights to Hiroyuki Nakajima and have 30 days to reach an agreement with the Seibu Lions shortstop.
• The Twins finalized their $4.75 million, one-year contract with closer Matt Capps.
