MLB Rumors: Paul Maholm close to deal with Los Angeles Dodgers
By Hayden Kane
At this point in the off-season, Paul Maholm represents a nice low cost option for some team’s rotation. You know, the kind of middle-market team that cannot afford the big free agent targets but still needs some help.
Or the Los Angeles Dodgers could scoop him up.
Maholm reportedly has a deal in the works to end up with the Dodgers. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times writes the following:
"The Dodgers appear to be close to a deal with veteran left-hander Paul Maholm.Maholm was among the Dodgers pitchers and catchers to undergo physical examinations Saturday at the team’s spring training complex. Maholm declined to speak to reporters and the Dodgers wouldn’t confirm they have a deal with him.The contract figures to be a minor-league deal."
In 26 starts for the Atlanta Braves last season, Maholm threw 153 innings. He does not strike out many guys (6.18 K/9 in 2013), but he doesn’t walk people either (2.76 BB/9). That subjects him to some ups and downs as he deals with the good and bad luck of BABIP, the defense behind him, and so on. Last year that resulted in a 10-11 record and a 4.41 ERA, but he was more solid than that.
His 3.89 xFIP last season shows a guy who can still be productive and hold up the #4 or #5 spot in a rotation. If the Dodgers do land him, it adds even more depth to a rotation that is already ridiculously good.