According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are "close" to signing left-hander Paul Maholm. Maholm, 29, has also drawn serious interest this winter from the Orioles, Mariners and Red Sox. But the Cubs appear to be nearing the first big free agent signing of the Theo Epstein era. Maholm posted a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 29 starts last season for the Pirates, striking out 97 batters against 50 walks over 162 1/3 total innings.

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Cubs are "trying to work out an agreement" with Paul Maholm. The Orioles, Mariners and Red Sox are also interested. Maholm, a 29-year-old left-hander, registered a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 29 starts last season for the Pirates. He's likely seeking a multi-year contract.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs, Orioles, Mariners and Red Sox are in on free agent left-hander Paul Maholm. Rosenthal adds that the Pirates have kept in touch, but a reunion isn't likely. We've heard about the Cubs and Orioles having interest in the southpaw, but the Mariners and Red Sox are new teams in the mix. Maholm held a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 26 starts this past season, but his season ended prematurely due to a strained shoulder. Given the amount of interest in him, teams must be convinced that he's now fine physically.

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates have talked with Paul Maholm, but that a return to Pittsburgh is unlikely. The Pirates are looking to bolster their rotation, but Kovacevic writes that they will likely look toward non-roster invitees (Jo-Jo Reyes, for example) as opposed to higher-profile starters. The club declined Maholm's $9.75 million club option for 2012 in late-October. The Orioles and Cubs have expressed interest in the southpaw this offseason.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles have expressed interest in Paul Maholm. It's closing in on crunch time for the Orioles, who had by far the worst starting rotation in the major leagues last year and have yet to make a significant upgrade beyond Japanese right-hander Tsuyoshi Wada. Maholm, 29, posted a 3.66 ERA and 97/50 K/BB ratio over 162 2/3 innings last season before being shut down in August with a shoulder strain. The Cubs are also interested.

According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, the Cubs are talking to free agent Paul Maholm. Maholm became a free agent after the Pirates declined his $9.75 million option at the end of October. The 29-year-old left-hander posted a quality 3.66 ERA and 97/50 K/BB ratio over 162 2/3 innings this season before being shut down in August with a shoulder strain. The market for him has been pretty quiet, but he could end up being a nice bargain for someone.

Pirates declined LHP Paul Maholm's $9.75 million option for 2012. Maholm posted a solid 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 26 starts this season, but he eventually had to be shut down with a shoulder strain and there's some concern about his ability to repeat such a high quality stat line in 2012. The 29-year-old left-hander should draw multiple bids on the open market this winter.

Paul Maholm (shoulder) has been cleared for workouts. A 29-year-old southpaw, Maholm registered a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 26 starts this season before being shut down with a shoulder strain. The Pirates are expected to decline his $9.75 million option for 2012 soon after the end of the World series.

Updating an earlier item, the Pirates have not officially declined Paul Maholm's $9.75 million club option for 2012. "We have not officially determined that we are going to decline the option," GM Neal Huntington said. They'll almost surely wind up declining it, but for now the Bucs are leaving their options open in case a potential trade partner emerges. The Pirates will have to pay Maholm a $750,000 buyout if the option is not picked up.

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates have decided to decline Paul Maholm's $9.75 million club option for 2012. An expected move, Maholm will instead receive a $750,000 buyout. "I'm going to test free agency and see where it goes," said Maholm. The 29-year-old southpaw posted a 3.66 ERA and 97/50 K/BB ratio over 162 1/3 innings this season before being shut down in August with a left shoulder strain. Assuming he's healthy, he shouldn't have any problem finding a new home.