5:33PM: Pirates GM Neal Huntington still has not entirely ruled out exercising Maholm's option, writes MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. The Bucs do not plan on paying Paul Maholm $9.75MM in 2012, but keeping the option in play leaves the door open to using the pitcher in a trade.
There is a limited window on the matter as teams typically have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to officially decline or exercise club options.
3:05PM: The Pirates have decided to decline their 2012 option for Paul Maholm, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The 29-year-old left-hander would have cost $9.75MM in 2012, but Pittsburgh will opt for a $750K buyout instead.
Maholm told Biertempfel that he isn't discussing a deal with the Pirates now, but hasn't ruled anything out. The seven-year veteran says he wants to "see what's out there" in free agency and adds that he'll do what's best for his family.
Maholm posted a 3.66 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 162 2/3 innings in 2011. His numbers improved, but he missed the final six weeks of the season with a strained left shoulder. Draft pick compensation won't be an issue, since Maholm is an unranked free agent, according to our rankings.
sign him sandy! sign him!
Probably one of the least surprising moves of the offseason. No way was Maholm worth close on 10 million bucks. He’ll probably re-sign with the Bucs for a quarter of that.
He’s already a Yankee
With Morton’s injury and the way the starting rotation fell apart after the 19inning Atlanta loss this is a stupid move. Oh well here’s to another 95+ loss season. Nuttings are cheap!
Almost $10M for a guy who nearly gave up a hit to Billy Crystal? Definitely the right move for the Pirates.
i just looked at his stats, obviously throw win/loss record out, but his numbers are pretty good, $10 mil for the bucks is pretty good, i can see several teams talking to him
idiots. Someones gonna Moneyball this guy for a 5th starter and be way better for it.
This would be a solid move for the Mets. Numbers remind me of Pelfrey though…on second thought…
The Reds should jump on him. Fellow Mississippi State alum Jeff Brantley would probably help him fine-tune his game and develop into a bonafide No.3 starter.
Well he’s worth keeping around… just no where near that price.
I’d love to see the Tigers at least make an offer for Maholm. They could use a lefty starter, and with Turner not quite ready for the rotation and (hopefully) Penny not returning, Maholm would make a lot of sense for them.
In a completely unrelated matter… Did Ben Sheets even pitch in an independent league this year?
He is recovering from (another) elbow surgery, so no.
the Mets can use him as an ace if were comparing him to Pelfrey.
Welcome to San Diego.
9 millions for a pitcher with an era of 3 is a steal. Javy got 8 millions last year(i think)
His ERA was closer to 4 than 3. Besides, ERA only tells half the story. He is not a 9+ million dollar pitcher, period.
as a perennial 2 WAR player who is kind of young, he actually could get ~ 9 million a year, 4.5 million per win is about right in FA. That being said he won’t get 9 million, so is therefore a value
Orioles!! please???
The Oriloes could use any starting pitcher.I fell sorry for the O’s fans
If the price is right, he could be a fit with the Cubs. But it’s so hard to tell what they’re interested in, with a new GM…none of the beat writers/reporters have any idea, in my mind, what Theo (barring the deal collapsing, which would crush me) wants to do or what he thinks of the current roster. So I don’t buy any of the rumors or stories out there right now about what the Cubs will do.
It will be interesting.
he’ll probably sign a 3year/22.5 million dollar contract with a winner. i feel bad for the guy,pretty decent pitcher,hard to get wins when your clean up hitter is a c/f who weighs 180.
why not bat him cleanup when he has the most homers on the team