The Pirates and pitcher Paul Maholm have agreed to a multi-year deal that gives the Pirates the ability to secure Maholm through the 2012 season. The agreement is still pending a physical, which is expected to take place on Thursday or Friday. As first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the two sides came to the agreement on Thursday morning. No official announcement has been made by the team, though that is expected to come on Friday. The agreement buys out all three of Maholm's years of arbitration eligibility and includes a club option for a fourth year, which would be Maholm's first year as a free agent. The value of the contract is not yet known. RealGM Note: Maholm was ranked 92nd in season FIC during the 2008 season and he 'deserved' to make $9.5M, giving him a Reina Value of +2,138%.