The Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals are expressing interest in Chicago Cubs left-hander Paul Maholm, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com:

The Pirates, Maholm’s former team, and Kansas City have interest in the crafty pitcher, according to major league sources.

Maholm has been fantastic for the Cubs of late, allowing only three runs over his last 30 1/3 innings pitched. Over that span, the 30-year-old reduced his ERA from 5.38 to 4.09. On the season, Maholm has maintained a WHIP of 1.287 with 5.9 SO/9 and 2.5 BB/9.

Maholm signed with the Cubs this off-season after spending his entire professional career with the Pirates. He’s earning $4.75 million this season and his contract includes a $6.5 million team option for 2013.

Over his seven years with the Pirates, Maholm maintained an ERA and WHIP of 4.36 and 1.424, but the veteran turned in one of his best performances in his final season in Pittsburgh. Maholm posted an ERA and WHIP of 3.66 and 1.294 over his 26 starts spanning 162 1/3 innings with 5.4 SO/9 and 2.8 BB/9.

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Should the Cubs trade Maholm along with Dempster and Garza?

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