Hot- Stove

Mark Buehrle and the White Sox agreed to a new contract Sunday, ending weeks of protracted negotiations and trade rumors. The pitcher’s deal is worth $56 million over four years. It does not include a full no-trade clause, as Buehrle originally sought, but it does provide compensation for the 28-year-old lefty if he is dealt.

Should Buehrle be traded at any time during the life of the contract, he will receive a fifth year worth $15 million. His salary for each of the first four years also will be bumped from $14 million to $15 million, increasing the deal’s value to five years and $75 million.

The White Sox gave Buehrle a full no-trade clause in 2008, the first year of the contract. In July 2010 he will gain the right to veto any trade when he becomes a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club.

Buehrle, who is 6-4 with a 3.03 ERA, could have been a free agent after this season. His career record is 103-70 in eight seasons, all with the White Sox.

The status of left-handed ace Mark Buehrle is looking murkier. Agent Jeff Berry reaffirmed in an e-mail that his client won’t budge from a full no-trade clause the White Sox are reluctant to give. With less than four weeks before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, Ken Williams appears ready to fulfill his vow of making changes he promised less than two weeks ago. “We’ll have some personnel moves the rest of the season, I guarantee you that,” Williams said before breaking away from reporters to conduct a 20-minute telephone conversation. While major-league scouts have descended on U.S. Cellular Field the past three weeks, Williams has dispatched his talent evaluators to various minor-league towns. He has attracted interest from the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Dodgers and Red Sox. The Red Sox might possess the right combination in Double-A pitcher Clay Buchholz and infielder Jed Lowrie, as well as recently promoted outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. The Dodgers also have the young depth to provide a match with the White Sox. — Chicago Tribune