MLBTR had a post yesterday that the Cubs are in negotiations with Paul Maholm for a spot in their 2012 rotation. Earlier in the offseason, the Pirates declined Maholm’s 2012 option for $9.75 million. Based on the market for pitchers like Chris Capuano (2 years, $10 million from the Dodgers), Bruce Chen (2 years, $9 million from the Royals), and Erik Bedard (1 year, $4.5 million from the Pirates), it appears that Maholm’s market has been roughly set.
Maholm would join a rotation currently in flux, as Matt Garza and Randy Wells are both being dangled in trade talks and Carlos Zambrano’s 2012 presence on the Cubs is not guaranteed either.
For his career, Maholm has pitched 64 innings in Wrigley, given up 73 hits, 13 walks, and struck out 35. He has a 5.48 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in the ballpark to go along with his 4.9 K/9 rate.
