Teams Interested In Maholm

Spoke to a scout today who passed along some Pirates info.  He mentioned that a couple of teams are expressing interest in 24 year-old southpaw Paul Maholm because of his easy mechanics and ability to keep the ball in the park.

Maholm posted a 0.97 HR per nine innings mark this season in 176 innings.  If we are to adjust Maholm's HR per flyball rate to average (10.7%), his HR/9 falls to 0.83 per nine innings.  My own projections have Maholm posting a 4.62 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 195 innings next season.  I can see his control progressing a bit, and he's a good low-risk, low-cost acquisition.  Put a decent defense behind the guy and he might surprise you.

Comments

[newpiratesgen]

Everyone mentions Paul Maholm when they talk about the pitcher out of the Pirates' Big Four that is most likely to be traded. Zach Duke is probably the most talented; Ian Snell had the best '06; Tom Gorzelanny may have the most upside.

As a Bucco fan, though, I can tell you that Maholm is no slouch. With his college backgronud and "crafty southpaw" status, I could see him being an average to above-average starter for quite awhile. I mentioned him as bait in my Fantasy GM posts, though I wouldn't be upset if the Bucs kept him and dealt a different starter. It'll be interesting to see how the signing of Yuslan Herrera affects Maholm's (and Duke's, Snell's and Gorzelanny's) future with the Bucs.

Cory
A New Pirates Generation
http://piratesgeneration.blogspot.com

[russell]

Can anyone imagine a Maholms/Grabow for Ayabar/McPhearson of the angels trade. The angels would love an above avarge 5th starter and the pirates can would have a dream infield infield of 3rd Sanchez, ss wilson, 2nd Ayabar, McPhearson/Eldred 1st.

[Dev0]

I think Maholm is a nice option for the Blue jays, if the Pirates are lookin to move him.

Maybe some sort of Dourmit Maholm for Adam Lind and something. I think Adam Lind would be a nice Option at First base if a Team wanted to convert him to one. He reminds me of Lyle Overbay but with a higher power ceiling.

[russell]

Maholms with his age,talents and money fits EVERY team. So we can come with a million of trade possiblty. So this bring me to the question why do the pirates want to trade him unless its an unbeliable deal.

[nrmax88]

russel i have to disagree with you when you say sanchez wilson aybar and mcpherson is a dream infield. It is a pretty decent one but not so much a dream