Maholm to Cubs

[magnumo]

Apparently, Paul Maholm has signed with the Cubs for $4.25 million..... which is less than half the value of the option the Pirates declined.

- On one hand, that suggests that the Pirates made the right decision to decline that option.

- On the other hand, since Maholm repeatedly stated that he was interested in coming back, the Pirates seemingly were not interested in bringing him back, even for HALF of the declined option.

From my perspective, the bad vibes are continuing to increase.

- I gotta believe that Maholm would have signed with the Pirates for $5 mill. It's clear to me that the team needs another dependable starter. And Maholm is a lefty innings-eater who would be OK as a place-holder at the bottom of the rotation.

- Coonelly has been quoted as stating that the team is expected to begin 2012 with a player payroll higher than it finished in 2011. Since the Pirates finished at $53 million in 2011, and currently has about $46 million committed for 2012, the team needs to spend another $7+ million to make Coonelly's statement come true.

 

[thecrow124]

mags - In his defense he also said they wouldn't spend money just because they had it available, only to upgrade the team.

But I digress, Paul will be missed. I liked him at $5 million, but not at almost $10 million.

 

[thedddd]

mags - In his defense he also said they wouldn't spend money just because they had it available, only to upgrade the team.

But I digress, Paul will be missed. I liked him at $5 million, but not at almost $10 million.

Without a doubt.

I also agree not to spend money just to do so. As for Pitching it seems they are content on Bedard, McDonald, Morton (when healthy), Karstens and Correia with Lincoln, Locke and Reyes as filler.

Pittsburgh Pirates Inbox: Addressing the outfield and rotation | pirates.com: News

Granted it does state if the price is right they would go after another pitcher. There are still a few interesting names out there and the longer some stay unsigned the cheaper they might come. That can backfire on them also.

 

[Burgh Sports Rule]

mags - In his defense he also said they wouldn't spend money just because they had it available, only to upgrade the team.

But I digress, Paul will be missed. I liked him at $5 million, but not at almost $10 million.

I agree. With the price that the Cubs got Maholm for, in my opinion, he should still be a Pirate.

Maybe not a 3yr extension for 10M per.

But, for 1yr at 4.25M that the Cubs paid for him. I would certainly take Maholm at that price.

Sigh... I am starting to get Bad Vibes about this season as well.

Also, what about that 1B Neal? Sigh...

Burgh.

 

[Illinest]

Thats where theo went isnt it? Well hes already starting to put a few under the radar moves together isnt he? To be clear - maholm at under 5 mill is pretty good value.

 

[thedddd]

Thats where theo went isnt it? Well hes already starting to put a few under the radar moves together isnt he? To be clear - maholm at under 5 mill is pretty good value.

Yes and Yes


Cubs Sign Paul Maholm: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
The link has their pickups also.

 

[Etrius24]

Well... it just depends..

I have bought and sold classic cars all of my life... and I will have a car for sale thinking I am going to get a certain amount for it... Convinced of it actually. Someone will make me a lower offer and I will refuse.. If I cannot sell the car sometimes I kick myself for not taking that offer when it was on the table... and there have been times where I have sold a car for less than an offer I turned down in the past.

We might be seeing something like this here... Maholm had an option so he was guaranteed x amount of money if he remained a Pirate unless he signed a new longer term contract... It would be foolish for him at that time to consider taking less than his option to stay in Pittsburgh unless there was a long term contract in place.

The Pirates did not want him at 9 million and passed and all of a sudden he is scrambling around looking for work... and he takes less money to get it... Now obviously the Pirates would likely have kept him at 4.25 million...and obviously he accepted that amount... But I have no doubt that this was on the table or even considered by either side at the time Maholm was still a pirate.

There is blame to both sides..The pirates should have made him a 2 year deal where he could make say 12-13 million over the course of 2 years if healthy and effective... Maybe he would consider that... And Maholm is at fault for seeing that option and thinking that he was going to get 9 million bucks if he stayed a pirate for 2012

Sometimes it just does not work out... and you know maybe Maholm went to a better team... where he might have a chance to win? It is not likely... but it is possible. The Cubs were awful last year but they had a much better team on paper than in the standings.