When Buccholz & Dice-K were on the shelf we got no help in the rotation from Tim Wakefield, Andrew Miller, Erik Bedard, Kyle Weiland & others. Of course, in September we got no help from Beckett, Lester & Lackey either.
Assuming that Beckett, Lester & Buccholz can return to their above-average form in 2012 it would be nice to add a stable 4th & 5th starter that can keep the opposition at 5 runs or less for 6 or 7 innings.
That's what Mark Buehrle does. He's a 200+ innings guy & can anchor down a 3rd or 4th spot in the rotation, giving you quality starts. At 33 he may be the best option on the free agency market. He knows how to pitch & he works quickly which his fielders appreciate, the anti-slow mo Beckett if you will. He wouldn't command a big salary as a bottom of the rotation guy.
Other free agent pitchers available are CJ Wilson, Roy Oswalt & Edwin Jackson to name a few. I think Buehrle would be the pick of the crop & a veteran presence this team could count on. He could be what the Sox hoped Erik Bedard was not.
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