Results tagged ‘ Paul Maholm ’

1/10 Cubs GM on Maholm, Wood, Garza

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer says free agent Paul Maholm wanted to pitch for the Cubs, partly because he wanted to stay in the NL Central. The lefty is a guy who “takes the ball, eats a lot of innings and really has kept his team in games his whole career,” Hoyer said. Maholm was shutdown in August because of shoulder soreness but passed the physical on Monday and says he’ll begin throwing off the mound soon.

Are the Cubs done now as far as their rotation?

“We’re very comfortable with the names that we have,” Hoyer said. “You never know what will happen over the course of the winter, what’s going to be available to us. A huge priority was building depth and we feel we’ve done that. You can never have enough pitching; the minute you think you have enough pitching, you don’t. We’re happy with the depth we’ve built up over the course of the winter. It’s a dangerous thing to say you’re ever done.”

That said, what about reports that the Cubs are talking to the Tigers about dealing Matt Garza? Hoyer would not comment specifically on the rumors. But he did say just because they’ve added Maholm does not mean they are automatically dealing Garza.

“This Maholm contract, and the fact you can look and say we have six starters now, this deal is not a precursor to anything,” Hoyer said.

* As for negotiations with free agent Kerry Wood, Hoyer said the two sides are still talking.

“We continue to want Kerry back in Chicago and we’ve offered him a substantial raise and we certainly hope it gets done,” Hoyer said.

With the addition of Maholm, the Cubs starting candidates now include Garza, Ryan Dempster, Maholm, Chris Volstad, Randy Wells, Casey Coleman and Travis Wood.

– Carrie Muskat

1/10 Cubs sign Paul Maholm

The Cubs have signed free agent Paul Maholm to the rotation, a move first announced by the left-handed pitcher on Twitter.

“I hope to get to continue some things when I visit [Pittsburgh] during the year and start some great things as I start my Cubs career,” wrote Maholm on Monday.

Maholm, 29, will receive $4.25 million this year with a club option of $6.5 million in 2013, or a $500,000 buyout. The lefty, who has spent his entire career with the Pirates, gives the Cubs more depth, something GM Jed Hoyer has said they’re trying to do. The team does not want to be short-handed as it was last season when both Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells were hurt after their first starts of ths season. The candidates for the rotation now include Maholm, Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Travis Wood, Chris Volstad, Randy Wells and Casey Coleman. Wood is the only lefty in that group. However, there has been interest in Garza this offseason by teams such as the Tigers, Yankees and Blue Jays.

– Carrie Muskat

1/9 Cubs reportedly close on Maholm

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Monday the Cubs are close to finalizing a deal for lefty Paul Maholm. He could join a rotation of Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Travis Wood, Chris Volstad and Randy Wells. Maholm has spent his entire career with the Pirates, and having another lefty in the rotation would be a plus. The only thing certain is the Cubs are still shopping.

“We’re not finished acquiring starting pitchers,” GM Jed Hoyer said Friday. “We want to have as much depth as possible. At this point, we’re still very much in the process of gathering as many quality arms as we can and we’ll put those pieces in place as we get closer to Spring Training.”

MLB Trade Rumors lists Maholm as the top ground ball free agent pitcher available. The average MLB pitcher induces ground balls about 44 percent of the time; in his career, Maholm has a 52.3 percent rate.

– Carrie Muskat

12/16 Cubs reportedly interested in Maholm

The Cubs are reportedly talking to lefty Paul Maholm’s agent. ESPN.com reported the interest on Friday. Maholm, 29, became a free agent after the Pirates declined to pick up the $9.75 million option on the pitcher’s contract for 2012. A ground ball pitcher, he would be a good fit at Wrigley Field, where Maholm has a career 6-2 record in 11 starts.

– Carrie Muskat

Low-cost pitching options abound for Angels

The question is how long they’re willing to wait out the likes of C.J. Wilson and Ryan Madson. As The Los Angeles Times pointed out on Monday — Day 1 of the Winter Meetings — new general manager Jerry DiPoto plans to meet with Wilson’s agent here in Dallas. Frankly, why wouldn’t he? The real question is whether it’s possible — or even practical — for the Angels to fork over most of their remaining payroll on one arm, to address the best aspect of the team no less.

If they don’t want to go that route, or commit to Madson — remember, the Phillies reportedly offered four years at $44 million — there are a few low-cost options to be had.

Starting pitcher-wise, Mark Buehrle is the logical fit. Problem: A lot of teams want him, and he’s said to be looking for a no-trade clause as part of at least a three-year deal. Some other lefties to keep in mind: Jeff Francis (4.82 ERA in 31 starts for the Royals last year), Erik Bedard (3.62 ERA in 24 starts for the Red Sox and Mariners) and Paul Maholm (3.66 ERA in 26 starts for the Pirates).

As for the right-handed bullpen arms, there are plenty from which to choose. The most intriguing may be Octavio Dotel, because of how well he pitched down the stretch for the World Series-champion Cardinals and because of his experience as both a setup man and closer. Dotel (38) shifted from a Type A free agent to a Type B under the new CBA, so he won’t cost the team that signs him a Draft pick.

Some others: LaTroy Hawkins, Francisco Cordero, Takahashi Saito, Frank Francisco, Mike MacDougal, Scott Linebrink and Luis Ayala, among a host of others.

– Alden Gonzalez

Keep an eye on Rockies pitching, Barmes discussions could occur today

As MLB.com reported last week and as the Denver Post reported last night, the Rockies’ wide-ranging search for an innings-eating starting pitcher, or two, includes standout free-agent right-hander Roy Oswalt (4-0, 2.25 ERA in five career starts at Coors Field).

The Post reported that the Rockies won’t trade for the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez, who want quite a bit in return. But just about any young, accomplished starter is on the radar — the Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, and the Rays’ Jeff Neimann and Wade Davis. All have been Rockies targets before. The Rockies are interested in their one-time No. 1 pitcher Jeff Francis and Kevin Millwood, who finished last season in purple pinstripes, as well as, according to the Post, Paul Maholm.

The Rockies are dangling left fielder Seth Smith in trade talks for either a pitcher or a second baseman, or both. That helps explain the pursuit of Grady Sizemore, who is recovering from right knee surgery but, according to his agent, will be ready to start Spring Training and to start the season.

If they don’t make a trade at the keystone position, they could look to the past and pursue Clint Barmes, who played for the Astros last season but had spent all is previous seasons with the Rockies. Barry Meister, Barmes’ agent, will arrive at the MLB General Managers meetings in Milwaukee today. Although there have been internal discussions about Barmes — who is attractive to the Rockies because he can move to shortstop if Troy Tulowitzki needs a break or is banged up — there had not been negotiations as of yesterday. Barmes is receiving interest at a shortstop and a second baseman, and is open to playing each spot.

Potential trade targets are the Braves’ Martin Prado and the Padres’ Orlando Hudson, with the Rockies already having had discussions with the Braves.

In the coming weeks, watch for the Rockies to seriously explore dealing right-handed reliever Huston Street, who is guaranteed $8 million next year. Rafael Betancourt ended up supplanting Street as closer late in the regular season.

– Thomas Harding

Bay to DL signals status quo for Frenchy

The byproduct of Jason Bay’s assignment to the disabled list Friday is that the Mets can no longer afford to trade Jeff Francoeur for pitching. As long as Bay remains disabled, the Mets will need Francoeur to man right field for them, meaning they cannot deal him for anything other than another outfielder — and, barring a salary dump, there isn’t much point to that.

With Francoeur off the block, the Mets don’t appear primed to do much before Saturday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline. Unable to acquire one of the three top-flight starting pitchers available on the market, the Mets are hardly enthused with the prospect of dealing for a lesser starter — a Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly, Paul Maholm type. And they — like every other team — have experienced sticker shock on the few quality relievers available.

For the Mets to make the playoffs, then, it appears they’re going to have to win with what they have.

–Anthony DiComo

Bucs discussing Maholm with multiple teams

A baseball source has confirmed that the Pirates are discussing possible Paul Maholm trade scenarios with multiple teams. The Pirates still do not feel a need to have to move Maholm, but if another club meets its asking price, Pittsburgh will make a deal.

Recent reports have listed the Dodgers, Padres and Mets as teams interested in acquiring the left-hander before Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. Multiple sources have told MLB.com that no deal is imminent.

When asked to comment on specific rumors, Pirates GM Neal Huntington said: “We will not discuss any specific trade rumor.  We are working through various scenarios with various players and will make a move only if we believe the return to be compelling.”

Maholm, who is under contract through 2011 and has a clup option for 2012, doesn’t have the ability to veto a trade. He had this to say on Friday regarding the rumors:

“I’ve always said I want to be on a winning team. My first choice would be on the team that turns it around here. I’ve been in Pittsburgh my whole career and I love the fans, love the ballpark, and I think they deserve a winner. I want to be a part of that. But it’s not up to me. If they come in and tell me to go somewhere, I’m going. I don’t have a ‘no trade [clause].’ We’ll just see how it goes.”

– Jenifer Langosch

Bucs listening, but without urgency

General manager Neal Huntington hasn’t promised that the Pirates will be entirely inactive on the trade front through the end of the month, but it’s obvious that the urgency to deal away players for prospects is not like it has been in each of the past two seasons.

“This year, we’ve got some guys that we’re not real motivated to move,” Huntington said. “If we get a good baseball trade, then we’ll make it. But we’re beyond the prospect collection mode, and we’re trying to move forward with this group.”

Veterans Paul Maholm, Zach Duke and Ryan Doumit have garnered interest in the past, and all three could be asked about again over the next 11 days. Doumit and Duke haven’t had particularly strong seasons, though, which could affect their value. And without the need to have to make deals, don’t expect the Pirates to sell low.

Relievers Brendan Donnelly and D.J. Carrasco are other potential trade pieces given how valuable reliable veteran relievers are for clubs looking to make a postseason push. And then there is closer Octavio Dotel, who perhaps has as much value as anyone that the Pirates would be willing to part with midseason. 

Dotel’s name has already surfaced as a potential fit on a number of clubs, though there have been no indications that it has fostered into anything more than speculation at this point. So why does Dotel seem as likely to go as anyone else in the Pirates’ clubhouse?

To begin with, he comes at a reasonable price given his experience, which has spanned 12 seasons. Dotel’s $3.5 million salary is plenty affordable, and his $4.5 million club option for 2011 becomes a mutual option if he is dealt.

Furthermore, the Pirates might not need the 36-year-old right-hander beyond this season. They seem to have a closer-in-waiting with Evan Meek, and if the club is planning to hand that job to Meek next year, this would be the time to try and get something for Dotel.

– Jenifer Langosch

Roundup: Deadline drawing closer

With just over 10 days left to the big day, buzz is starting to populate in all corners of the league as teams decide if they are going to buyers or sellers. Will the Mets pick up a starting pitcher to help carry them down the stretch? Will the Astros send Roy Oswalt somewhere for a big return? Will we see Ted Lilly or Dan Haren on the move soon? We’ll know soon enough, but for today here’s a look around the league on Tuesday:

– Starting pitching buzz has pretty much dominated the talks on the market and a name being tossed around by some clubs is Indians starter Jake Westbrook. But according to Fox Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, Westbrook won’t come cheap. The starter has a clause in his contract that says he’ll recieve a $2 million bonus if traded and his salary is set to increase by a pro-rated portion of $1 million. As Rosenthal points out, this could prevent clubs that have salary constraints, such as the Mets and Dodgers, from making a move. Westbrook is also a free agent at the end of the season, so a club could potentially try to lock him up for the long-term, but that seems less likely.

– Rosenthal also touched on the case of Oswalt, Houston’s ace hurler. Major League sources suggested to Rosenthal that the market for the veteran hurler is slow and seeing limited interest. This is presumably because of his large contract, set to pay him $6 million more this season and $16 million next season.

– Heading into the second half of the season, there are a lot of teams that would love to have Nationals veteran Adam Dunn’s bat in the lineup. But all signs coming out of the Nationals have indicated that it was going to take A LOT to move Dunn. The Washington Post added to that on Tuesday, suggesting that Washington needed to be wow-ed to move Dunn. Adam Kilgore of the Post offers the White Sox as a team that could put together a solid offer for Dunn.

– There have been several reports that the Dodgers are being very aggressive on the market this year, despite their budget constraints. First on the wish list? Possibly a left-handed starter as an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday reports that according to a source, the Dodgers are eyeing Paul Maholm. Maholm is currently the Pirates’ highest paid player on the active roster, with a $4.5 million salary. He looked impressive in his last start, tossing a three-hit shutout at the Astros. Overall, Maholm is 6-7, with a 4.08 ERA. The Dodgers have also been linked to interest in Oswalt and Lilly.

– Add the Phillies to the list of teams looking for starting pitching.  Less than 24 hours after he allowed seven runs in five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  It is unclear if he will take Kendrick’s spot in the rotation or serve as a long man in the bullpen until the Phillies make another move. The Phillies have said left-hander J.A. Happ will help them at some point this season. They also are trying to acquire a starting pitcher in a trade.

 

– Bailey Stephens 

 

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