14 teams interested in Buehrle — including the Sox

Is Mark Buehrle close to signing a new contract?

The free-agent starting pitcher was a focal point Monday as the winter meetings opened in Dallas.

The number of teams expressing interest in Buehrle reportedly has reached 14.

That includes the White Sox, Buehrle's team for the past 12 years.

Now that he is on the open market, Buehrle is almost certain to sign with another team, unless the Sox unexpectedly shift gears and decide to spend.

Buehrle is rumored to have received three-year offers from the Nationals, Marlins and Rangers in the range of $36 million to $39 million.

He might get a fourth year at some point, which should seal a deal.

As for the Sox, they have long appeared to be priced out on Buehrle.

New manager Robin Ventura left the White Sox via free agency following the 1998 season, so he knows what Buehrle is going through.

“I think he likes Chicago, he likes the White Sox,” Ventura told reporters in Dallas on Monday.

“But it's where you're at in your career and what's being offered. When you look at what you really want … if it could happen he would probably want to stay.

“But there a lot of people really wanting him, and he's probably getting better offers.”

Ventura said he ran into Buehrle in New York earlier in the off-season and gave him a quick sales pitch.

“I just wanted him to know what I thought of him,” Ventura said.

“If he goes, it's a tremendous loss. You look at what he's meant to the organization, as a teammate. I'd be disappointed. I've been around and know what he's meant.”

If Buehrle does leave the White Sox, Ventura won't dwell on the loss.

“Eventually, everybody leaves,” Ventura said.

“If it's not leaving for free agency, it's retiring. Guys have to fill in at some point, and it gives new opportunities to guys that might not get a shot.

“Baseball just keeps moving. Once that decision's made … again, I would love to have him, but in baseball you can't worry about what you don't have.”

Minoso falls short:Former White Sox great Minnie Minoso fell 3 votes short of making the Hall of Fame on Monday.On the Golden Era ballot, Minoso received 9 of 16 votes.#8220;I'm stunned,#8221; Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf told reporters. #8220;I really thought he'd get 16 votes.#8221;Minoso, 86, was a career .298 hitter with 186 home runs and 1,023 RBI. He played for the White Sox from 1951-61 and again for very brief stints in 1964, '76 and '80.Best trade rumor:John Danks to the Yankees.According to one report, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is trying to deal Danks to New York for either left-handed starter Manny Banuelos or catcher Jesus Montero.Williams apparently was rebuffed on both players.Banuelos was a combined 6-7 with a 3.75 ERA with Class AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season.Only 5-feet-11 and 155 pounds, Banuelos is a power pitcher with a 98-mph fastball.Think spring:The White Sox announced their 2012 Cactus League schedule, and they'll open exhibition play March 5 against the Dodgers.Pitchers and catchers don't report to camp until Feb. 23, about a week later than normal.The Sox play the Cubs at home in Glendale, Ariz., on March 9 and visit the Cubs in Mesa on March 18.The White Sox close spring training at Houston on April 3-4. On April 6, they open the regular season at Texas.SoxFest update:The White Sox announced that fans who purchase weekend passes to SoxFest (Jan. 27-28) will receive a limited-edition Joe Crede bobblehead doll.Crede will attend the annual winter gathering, as will new manager Robin Ventura, Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Alexei Ramirez and Frank Thomas, among others.Visit whitesox.com/SoxFest for more details.