Maholm?

[magnumo]

According to a current ESPN.com article, the Pirates are scouting Paul Maholm for a potential return.

(Note: The article also states that the Pirates almost traded for Geovany Soto last July..... until the Cubs backed out at the last minute. First I've heard that.)

Numerous teams scouting the Cubs - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

I rooted for Maholm as strongly as anyone when he was a Pirate. On the other hand, I supported the Pirates quest for pitchers who miss bats. We already have a couple of Maholm-types (Locke and Owens) waiting at Indy. While it would be a good idea for the Bucs to pick up another veteran starter, it seems to me that Maholm is NOT the right guy.

Comments or opposing views?

 

[stillmatic32]

I like it. While it was brutal having him starting on opening day, having him as a 4/5 seems very reasonable.

That said, I do see your point of calling up one of the guys in AAA though. I think they should get a go at it, but for some reason that doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

 

[TheBurgh88]

Wouldn't mind him for depth down the stretch in case of injury but I think he is very comparable to Correia who everyone seems to want to run out of the rotation. I guess for depth but I wouldn't even want to give up a prospect with any kind of upside. Maybe a "C" prospect but at that point would the Cubs even be interested.

On the other hand, I would be much more interested in Dempster if the price is not to steep. I feel that we could use 1 more top of the rotation starter to take some pressure off McDonald and Burnett. Both have dropped off in performance lately and another top notch starter could help ease any regression by those two. McDonald is about 50 IP short of his career high and we saw last year the dropoff of the pitching in the 2nd half.

 

[steelparrot]

Doesnt seem like a upgrade to me, pass, I would just as soon see one of our young lefties.

We are also looking at Stephen Drew according to mlbtraderumors.

 

[Burgh Sports Rule]

I'm with Mags. I'd much rather see Locke or Owens up here in this rotation at this point, than Paul Maholm. Both Locke & Owens are younger & have the potential for much more upside than Paul Maholm does. ( To me at least ) I don't want to give up anything, prospect wise, for Maholm at this point.

My question is, that if the Pirates did'nt want to pay Maholm in the offseason that they let him go, why do you want to take the contact back now, when you have to give up an asset in a trade to do it?

Burgh

 

[rmilia1]

Over the last 3 months Maholm as been very very good for the Cubs.7-2 since the start of May with an ERA in the mid 3's. As a Cubs fan Im beginning to wonder who the hell is going to pitch for us if we trade Dempster, Garza and Maholm. LOL.

 

[element1286]

Depends on the price, if it is similar to what they gave up for Derek Lee, ie a C Prospect, then yea I'm in favor. I'd rather have him than Corriea anyday.

 

[Darkstone42]

If we get him for just about nothing, sure. More depth is a good thing. And then we have the freedom to go and get another piece, like Drew, Upton, or Quentin.

 

[sychmd]

dont trade any prospects for him.

i would rather try out our AAA pieces and even cole first before i go after maholm.
maholm will cost players and then money.

we are looking for some possible help this year, but i really dont want to give away anything that will help us for 2013-2018, including trading chips just to try and make the playoffs this year.

a C would be good to get, but soto is not worthy of much investment. 4 subpar yrs in a row, we are getting way more out of our current tandem.

if we are going after pitching, really go after someone we will have as a 1,2,3 for the next 3-5 years. that person would also need to be better than someone they could buy this summer as i think people will start giving the bucs a look in FA.

 

[Etrius24]

If he is cheap why not??? He has been sharp the last 2 months...And I think we all are concerned about Bedard staying strong down the stretch... I would embrace Maholm coming back.
Sure Owens is in AAA... but the last 2 spots in the rotation are questionmarks...Owens or Locke ( assuming one of them are ready to help out) may not be enough..Maholm would solve that problem.