Earlier this week, we learned that the Pirates were going to decline Paul Maholm’s $9.75 million contract option for 2012, but according to Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com, the team is looking for a trade partner before actually declining the option.

Langosch explains that the Pirates are looking for a trade partner that thinks Maholm is worth $9.75 million and that doesn’t want him to hit the open market. If they find such a team, they would exercise the left hander’s option and flip him to that team.

The 29-year-old Maholm was 6-14 with a 3.66 ERA in 26 starts this season with the Pirates.

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