Marlins, cooling on Pujols, sign Buehrle

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Miami Marlins turned their attention from Albert Pujols to Mark Buehrle Wednesday, signing the former White Sox pitcher to a four-year, $58 million deal.

The Marlins landed the free-agent left-hander just as it seemed their quest to sign the St. Louis Cardinals' all-star first baseman was coming up short, The Miami Herald reported.

Reports from the annual baseball winter meetings in Dallas indicated Pujols has received 10-year contract offers worth more than $200 million from the Marlins, the Cardinals and a third team not identified publicly.

But the Herald reported the Marlins' bid for Pujols lost momentum Wednesday, so Miami instead opted to concentrate on pitching with the signing of the long-time White Sox ace.

The 32-year-old Buehrle has spent his entire 12-year career with Chicago, racking up a 161-119 record and 3.83 ERA while tossing at least 200 innings each of the past 11 seasons. He pitched a perfect game against Tampa Bay in 2009.

The Marlins have committed $191 million in salary to three free-agent signings in four days, inking Buehrle, former New York Mets shortstop Reyes and ex-Padres closer Heath Bell.

Miami could be in the market for yet more pitching while Pujols became more likely to re-sign with the Cardinals, the newspaper said.