Left-hander Paul Maholm avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing Friday to a $14.5 million, three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who also finalized a $1.5 million, one-year deal with free-agent utilityman Eric Hinske.
Maholm's agreement locks him up through his remaining arbitration years and includes a club option for 2012. He was the most effective starter on a 95-loss Pirates team last season, going 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 31 starts.
He receives $3.5 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011. Pittsburgh holds a $9.75 million option for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout, and the option price can escalate to $11.05 million based on his performance.
01-31-2009, 03:59 PM
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