Will 2011 Gold Glove Winner Mark Buehrle End Up a Chicago Cub?

Mark Buehrle won his third-consecutive Gold Glove Award on Tuesday night, but his focus right now is on where he will play baseball in 2012. 

He was the ace for the Chicago White Sox this past season, however, next season he could be dawning a new uniform.

It certainly would be strange seeing him in something other than a White Sox uniform. After all, he's spent his entire career there.

Buehrle has over a decade of memories in Chicago, but the White Sox are undergoing a lot of changes at the moment.

A source of Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says that the Chicago Cubs "would be interested Buehrle if the price tag and years aren't astronomical."

Buehrle has the right to ask for a good amount of money, and the veteran isn't going to want a lengthy contract.

He may be getting up there in age, but there's no denying his ability to still pitch great, which is why he's going to get paid wherever he ends up.  

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post wrote that "some individuals with ties to the Nationals believe they will pursue Buehrle."

The question is, would Buehrle play in the National League?

That's quite a transition this late in his career and I just don't see him welcoming the idea of having to hit more often. 

The 32-year-old pitcher told the Chicago Tribune that, "I'd like to play two or three more years." 

A long-term contract is not a likely option for Buehrle, and according to SI's Jon Heyman, the White Sox plan to re-sign the Type B free agent to a two-year deal.

It's hard to believe Buehrle would want to go anywhere else, but if a better team comes calling or perhaps one is willing to give the veteran pitcher more money, then maybe he would leave.

After all, winning three consecutive Gold Gloves certainly helps your agent in bargaining for a bigger payday.  

Switching Chicago teams would certainly irritate a number of White Sox fans, and with the rumors swirling, folks on Twitter of course voiced their opinion on the matter. 

I don't see Buehrle on the move this offseason, as he should finish out his career with the White Sox. 

It's uncertain how much longer Buehrle would be able to pitch, but he'd be worth every penny the White Sox spend on him.

Making a big change this late in his career wouldn't be a smart move. 

Sticking with the White Sox is his best option, as playing for a National League team wouldn't end very well. The pursuit of another World Series could make him want to leave the White Sox, but he's not going to win one with the Cubs or the Nationals anytime soon.  

There's still time left for Buehrle to make a decision, but the White Sox can't afford to wait too long in their pursuit of Buehrle, as it could cost them on the chance to re-sign their ace.