CHICAGO -- Free agent Mark Buehrle might not have a contract yet, but he does have his third consecutive Gold Glove Award.

Buehrle made just one error in 2011 and picked off six runners while winning the top defensive award at his position in the American League.

A.J. Pierzynski was a finalist for the Gold Glove at catcher, but that went to the Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters instead.

The awards were announced on ESPN2 on Tuesday night, the first time Gold Gloves have been named on television.

Buehrle became the first White Sox player to win a Gold Glove in three consecutive seasons since Robin Ventura did it at third base from 1991-93. Ventura was named White Sox manager last month. Buehrle, 32, also becomes the first White Sox pitcher to win three consecutive Gold Gloves.

Since 2001, Buehrle leads all pitchers in pickoffs with 85. The second most pickoffs over that stretch are Andy Pettitte's 50.

Buehrle also won the 2011 Fielding Bible Award for the third consecutive season. That honor is voted on by a 10-man expert panel.

Exclusive free-agent negotiations between the White Sox and Buehrle continue through Wednesday. After that exclusive window expires, all other teams will be allowed to negotiate with other teams' free agents.

The White Sox are expected to let other teams set the market for Buehrle before they decide if his price tag fits into the club's budget.

Doug Padilla covers the White Sox for ESPNChicago.com.