Report: Buehrle leaning towards not playing in 2016
Free-agent left-hander Mark Buehrle remains unwilling to make an official decision regarding his future in the majors.
The 36-year-old is coming off his 16th MLB season, and while he's reportedly not ready to announce his retirement, he's leaning toward not playing in 2016, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Buehrle has been remarkably durable and consistent throughout his career, and is coming off a year in which he went 15-8 with a 3.81 ERA, tossed four complete games, and fell just 1 1/3 innings shy of becoming the fifth pitcher in history to log at least 200 innings in 15 consecutive seasons.
It was reported earlier this winter that Buehrle, a Missouri native, was interested in pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, but that door likely closed when they agreed to a five-year deal with Mike Leake.
With most of the top free-agent starters already signed, Buehrle is one of the best available left-handers remaining.