Kyle Lohse rumors: Mark Buehrle, Esteban Loaiza among contract comps

Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse had a great 2012 season with the St. Louis Cardinals by going 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA, and now the 33-year-old pitcher is looking to cash in with a big pay day. There are rumors that Lohse could be rewarded with a multi-year contract worth as much as $70 million.

However, some are suspect, and rightfully so, to be paying an older pitcher that kind of money. With that projected price tag, the Cardinals are almost certainly not going to be able bring back Lohse.

Getting a long-term deal at Lohse's age is going to be difficult, but what he could expect is to get a deal similar to pitchers Mark Buehrle and Esteban Loaiza.

Buehrle earned a four-year deal worth $58 million from the Marlins last season, but at the time he was a full year younger than Lohse. Another reason that Buehrle earned contract is because he has been more consistent over his carrer, while Lohse has only really performed at a high level over the past few seasons.

Loaiza might be a better example to compare Lohse to, Loaiza struggled early in his career before reinventing himself as a good pitcher. His contract was a three-year, $21.4 million contract with the Athletics.

A reason that Lohse could actually best those contracts is that he is considered the second best pitcher on the free agent market behind only Zack Greinke.