As we passed along last night, Paul Maholm has agreed to a contract with the Chicago Cubs. We now know the terms of the deal: it’s a one-year, $4.25 million contract with a $6.5 million option for 2013.
Given that Maholm had an option for over $9 million that the Pirates declined, this is a pretty decent deal. And a good baseball move for the Cubs too, as Maholm is better than his record indicates. He’s a groundball pitcher who will benefit from the high Wrigley Field grass. Assuming the Cubs’ defense isn’t dreadful, he could put together a quite useful season or two in Chicago.
And even if he doesn’t, he’s not so expensive that it will matter all that much.
