Marlins make another splash with Buehrle deal

The Miami Marlins made their third major free-agency signing of the offseason by agreeing to terms on a four-year, $58 million deal with four-time All-Star pitcher Mark Buehrle, MLB.com reported on Wednesday.

Buehrle's deal is pending a physical, according to the report on Major League Baseball's (MLB) website.

I'm very happy to have this kid, he's one of my favorite players, Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, who won a World Series with Buehrle in 2005 while managing the Chicago White Sox, told the website.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Marlins introduced All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, who signed a six-year deal worth $106 million, and the rebranded franchise have also added All-Star closer Heath Bell on a $27 million, three-year contract.

The 32-year-old Buehrle, who made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2000, has a career 3.83 earned run average and went 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 2011 with Chicago, where he spent many seasons working under Guillen.

The Marlins should have quality pitching options next season with two-times All-Star Josh Johnson returning from a shoulder injury that cost him a large part of the 2011 campaign.

The Marlins have been spending big ahead of move to a new ballpark near downtown Miami for the 2012 season and have also been linked with the biggest name in the free agent market, slugger Albert Pujols.

The Marlins reportedly offered Pujols a 10-year contract worth $200 million but several media reports on Wednesday said the three-times National League most valuable player was not likely to move to South Florida.