Trade Deadline: Pirates involved in discussions with Padres, Dodgers

By John Perrotto

Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm has suddenly, and somewhat surprisingly, become the hottest starting pitcher on the trade market with the deadline to deal players without securing waivers on them approaching at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The San Diego Padres have made multiple aggressive bids for Maholm in the past 24 hours, according to various baseball sources, and the Los Angeles Dodgers also remain very interested.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is said to be remaining steadfast on his asking price, a young starting pitcher who is ready to step into the Pirates' rotation now along with either a second young major-leaguer or a top-level prospect.

Left-hander Wade LeBlanc and shortstop Everth Cabrera are two players on the Padres' roster that the Pirates have interest in. They also like Class AA San Antonio right-hander Simon Castro.