Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington said the team would be willing to trade a starting pitcher if the price is right.

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Huntington did not identify any starters, but he made reference to players that will soon be free agents. The only players that fit that profile are Paul Maholm and Zach Duke.

“If the package is appropriate for one of our starting pitchers, we are willing to consider a move,” Huntington said in an interview with the Post-Gazette. “If the interest is in one of our starting pitchers who is one year away from free agency, that shifts the tolerance accordingly, as we would be able to reinvest their potential dollars into a major-league starting pitcher — via trade or free agency — and add valuable multiyear pieces to our major-league club and/or system. Again, we will need to feel good about the return to make a move.”

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers were believed to be interested in Maholm. The Dodgers have been looking for starting and relief pitching. GM Ned Colletti recently told Jim Bowden of Inside Pitch and FOXSports that he has the flexibility for a “major” transaction.

Maholm, 28, is making $4.5 million and his salary will increase to $5.75 million in 2011. There is a club option for 2012 worth $9.75 million, otherwise he can be bought out for $750,000.

Duke, 27, is making $4.3 million this season and he has one more year of arbitration eligibility. He can be a free agent after the 2011 season.