The Pittsburgh Pirates have told left-handed starting pitcher Paul Maholm that they will not be picking up his club option for the 2012 season. The option would have cost the Pirates $9.75 million.
This will allow the 29-year-old to test the free agent market for the first time in his career.
The Pirates could still work out a deal to bring Maholm back, but the lefty has been quoted as saying he wants ”to test it and see where it goes,” according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Maholm posted a career-best 3.66 ERA in 26 starts last season, though he ended the season with just a 6-14 record. He struck out 97 batters in 162.1 innings while walking just 50.
His ERA and WHIP were second-best among Pirate starters (to Jeff Karstens), while had the best BAA of the team’s rotation.
I don’t expect Maholm to re-sign with the Pirates this offseason.
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