The Washington Nationals' search for a veteran starting pitcher to anchor their staff has led them to free-agent left-hander Mark Buehrle. According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo will meet with Jeff Berry, Buehrle's agent, before leaving GM meetings.
Buehrle is the third starter to draw Washington's interest, following Roy Oswalt and C.J. Wilson. As Kilgore notes, "it is believed that their top priority is Buehrle."
Buehrle, who will turn 33 during Spring Training, has spent his entire 12-year career with the Chicago White Sox, compiling a 3.83 earned run average and a 161-119 record. He's also earned four All-Star appearances and three Gold Glove awards. He might be most famous for throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009.
Buehrle is a workhorse: in his 11 seasons as a full-time starter, he has never appeared in fewer than 30 games or pitched fewer than 201 innings. In his most recent season, the St. Charles, MO native went 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 31 starts.
The Nationals' pitching staff put together a solid 2011 campaign, with a 3.58 ERA, good for No. 6 in the 16-team National League.
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