Craig Heist, wtop.com
DALLAS, Tx. – Free agent pitcher Mark Buehrle has reportedly narrowed his choice down to five teams, with the Nationals still very much in the running.
While Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said Tuesday he did have any contact with Buehrle’s representatives, he does feel good about the team’s chances to land the 32-year-old lefthander.
Rizzo feels a decision could be coming soon.
“From my meeting with him, I don’t think he wants this to be a long, drawn out process,” Rizzo says. “I think he wants to get comfortable with a team, be treated fairly and make a decision and get on with the offseason and his preparation for spring training.”
Buehrle reportedly wants a four-year deal and if the Nationals were able to land him, he would be exactly what they need to aid a rotation that will feature Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman. He has double-digit wins while throwing 200-plus innings in each of the last 11 seasons.
It’s no secret the Nationals have targeted Buehrle since the beginning of the offseason and that prompted Rizzo to make a visit to his home in St. Louis.
“I went in there and tried to give him a presentation as to what we are all about,” he says “We told him what we are trying to do now and what we are trying to do in the future and what part he will play in it.”
“It was a well rounded presentation that showed all the facets of, not only the baseball team, but his position in there, not only as a top of the rotation guy but as a mentor to our young staff.”
Coming off an 80-win season, there is no question the Nationals feel like they can contend in the National League East in 2012, Rizzo says it is becoming easier to persuade top free agents to come to Washington.
“We are beyond the point where we have to apologize for not being very good and we are rebuilding. I think we are a solid team and have a chance to compete and we get that point across.”
“Every free agent knows some player on every team. The free agents we are talking to, they contact players on our team to get the inside lay of the land, and I think those conversations were all positive.”
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