By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today | @cbrown_STLBBT | Nov. 14, 2015, 10:39 am CT

After 16 years in the majors and nearly $140 million earned, veteran starter and current free agent Mark Buehrle can afford to be selective on what teams he would want to sign with if he chooses to continue his big-league career.

According to a report from Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the 36-year-old St. Charles native will only return for a 17th season in the majors if it’s with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

Drafted by the White Sox in the 38th round of the 1998 amateur draft, Buehrle pitched for Chicago for the first 12 years of his career, finishing fifth in Cy Young award voting in 2005 and tallying four All-Star selections and a Gold Glove award.

After a year with Miami in 2012, Buehrle has been with the Blue Jays for the past three seasons, pitching to a 40-28 record with a 3.78 ERA. The 2015 season marked the first time since 2000, his rookie season, that Buehrle has not elapsed the 200 innings pitched plateau. For his career, the left-hander has a 214-160 record with a 3.81 ERA.

In wake of the news that Lance Lynn will miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, there could be a potential fit between the redbirds and Buehrle, though there have been some indications the team would aim higher in its search to improve the rotation.

More from STL Baseball Today:

Heyward, Lackey reject Cardinals’ qualifying offers, becoming free agents

Report: Cardinals among teams interested in free agent INF/OF Ben Zobrist

Lance Lynn to miss entire 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery

Report: Cardinals plan to non-tender reliever Steve Cishek

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Feature image used under Creative Commons by Keith Allison. No changes made. Image license.