Paul Maholm Set to Test Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that they will not be picking up Paul Maholm’s $9.75 million team option for 2012.  With this now official, Maholm is set to hit the free agent market this offseason.

Maholm will be testing free agency for the first time in his career.  The 29-year-old has spent his entire professional career with the Pirates, and is open to resigning with the club.  But first, Maholm will want to “see what’s out there” in the way of other offers.  Maholm told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he’s “not going to close any doors”, that he feels that he owes that much to his family, “to do what’s best for them”.

Maholm, who made $6.25 million in 2011, posted solid numbers this season as a leader of a revamped Pirates pitching staff.  Over his 26 starts and 162.1 innings pitched, Maholm maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.66 and 1.294.

Maholm has also proven his durability over the years, averaging over 180 innings per season from 2006-11.  The left-hander hit the disabled list for the first time this August, dealing with a strained left shoulder.  Pittsburgh decided to shut Maholm down for the final month of 2011, but the injury isn’t expected to impact the starter moving forward.

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