Paul Maholm is on the Red Sox pitching radar
Finally, after months of pleading that the Red Sox consider free-agent Paul Maholm, my request appears to be finally happening.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports via Twitter, the Red Sox are one of a few clubs reported to be interested in the former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher. The Cubs, Mariners and Orioles are also said to have a foot in on the Maholm sweepstakes, while the Pirates are a long-shot to bring back Maholm.
Despite some injuries in 2011 that saw Maholm get shut down early, the lefty would be a great fit for the Red Sox rotation.
A veteran of seven seasons, six as a starter, Maholm, a left handed pitcher, has averaged 30 starts over his year’s as a starter, resulting in an average of over 180 innings per season. If he can continue to deliver this type of reliability, he’d be a welcomed addition to the back end of the Sox rotation to help chew up some innings.
His career record of 53-73 with an ERA of 4.36 and a WHIP of 1.424 may appear to be a little disturbing. But consider he’s played for the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that hasn’t given him a whole lot of run support or defense that a first place club would.
Maholm’s best season was in 2009 when he went 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA, a WHIP of 1.279, a strikeout ratio of 6.1/9 innings, while starting in 31 games, good for 206.1 innings.
Last season, Maholm compiled a 3.66 ERA, a WHIP of 1.294, a strikeout ratio of 5.4/9 innings and a ground ball rate of 49.9% over 162.1 innings.
Early reports stated that Maholm could receive a multi-year deal, likely a two or three year offer. With the multi-team interest, the 29-year old is surely to secure that. Rosenthal did not mention what salary figures Maholm can expect to make.
As I’ve said all along, he’d be a great signing for the Red Sox. Slot him in behind Daniel Bard as the number five starter and the crafty lefty is a welcome addition. Let’s get at it.
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