Chicago Cubs, Maholm finalize deal

By Ken Rosenthal
Published

The Cubs, continuing to rework their starting rotation, announced the signing of free-agent left-hander Paul Maholm on Tuesday.

The two sides agreed to terms on a one-year contract with a club option for 2013.

FOXSports.com reported news of the negotiations Monday.

Maholm, 29, went 6-14 with a 3.66 ERA for the Pirates last season, ending the year on the DL with shoulder trouble. The Pirates paid him a $750,000 buyout rather than exercise his $9.75 million option.

The Cubs have dramatically overhauled their rotation this offseason, trading right-hander Carlos Zambrano for righty Chris Volstad and acquiring lefty Travis Wood in the Sean Marshall deal.

Maholm joins the group of new starters at a time when the team is still talking about trading its No. 1 pitcher, right-hander Matt Garza.

The Mariners, Red Sox, Orioles and Pirates were among the other teams that showed interest in Maholm.

The Orioles are close to signing another lefty, Wei-Yin Chen.