Ventura asks Buehrle to stick with Sox

DALLAS, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Chicago White Sox Manager Robin Ventura said he ran into free agent Mark Buehrle in New York and made a personal plea for the left-hander to remain in Chicago.

Ventura, who said his own experience as a free agent gave him the perspective to speak to Buehrle on the subject, said at Monday's winter meetings in Dallas he tried to convince the pitcher to stay with the Sox, where he has played since beginning his professional career in 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.

"I made my case in person to him," Ventura said. "I just wanted him to know what I thought of him and what he's meant to the organization."

"He just smiled, kind of laughed," Ventura said. "I didn't expect anything different. He gets it. I get it, too."

"I've been in [Buehrle's] situation, knowing what's going through his head," Ventura said. "He likes Chicago, likes the White Sox. But ... it's where you're at in your career and what's being offered and what's thrown at you. Sometimes you get confused.

"When you look at what you really want, if it could happen, you would probably want to stay. But there are a lot of people really wanting him, and that's something he has to weigh. He's probably getting better offers."