Free agent starting pitcher Paul Maholm has been linked to the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, Ken Rosenthal writes. Rosenthal also indicates that the Orioles and Cubs are possibilities, as had previously been reported.
↵Maholm doesn't appear likely to come back to the Pirates, which is unfortunate. The Bucs previously opted to pay a $750,000 buyout rather than pay his $9.75 million option. I suppose you could defend that move due to the amount of money involved, but the fact is that $9 million for a one-year deal on a player very likely to pitch 180 decent innings really wouldn't have been a bad move. In the meantime, the Pirates will have to get by on a patchwork rotation that includes several pitchers who are very good bets to miss time due to injury (Erik Bedard, Charlie Morton) or to pitch terribly (Kevin Correia).
↵Via MLB Trade Rumors.
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