They finally got it done. After two weeks of on again-off again negations, the White Sox resigned Mark Buehrle for four years at $56 million. The big sticking point over the last week was a full no trade clause, which Buehrle did not receive. He does have no trade protection through 2008, and he’ll get it again in July of 2010 when he becomes a 5 and 10 player (10 years of major league service, 5 years with one club). If Buehrle does get traded during that 18 month span, an escalator clause kicks in that would up the deal to 15 million a year (he would originally be making 14 mil), and add a fifth year on to the contract, also at 15 million.

The moral of the story is that this deal had to get done, and the White Sox were able to do it. Remember when the Sox would never give a pitcher a contract longer then three years? Well Buehrle was good enough to suspend that rule for the time being. He’s also the Sox highest paid player at $14 mil a season.

While this is a great move by the White Sox, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re going to contend next season. Kenny Williams job become even harder now that his main trading chip is off the board; he still has to find a way to retool the White Sox at virtually every position besides the corners of the infield. The Sox need an entire new outfield, a new bullpen, and a new middle infield before next season starts. It will be interesting to see if the Sox go with young guys or if they maybe make a run at Ichiro or Torii Hunter, along with some cheaper veterans. That route worked for them in 2005 when they brought in Dye, Pierzynski, Iguchi, and El Duque via free agency.

I’d almost prefer they completely rebuild, but isn’t that point less now with such a good starting rotation? The Buehrle signing overshadowed the fact that Javy Vazquez is dominating right now, throwing his second straight complete game yesterday. Garland, even though he got roughed up last start versus the Twins, might be as good as Buehrle (and is a few months younger), and John Danks has been solid in first rookie season. Those are four really good, young starting pitchers. Rebuilding around guys like Danny Richar and Ryan Sweeney might not be the right option when the pitching is ready to win right now.