In what might be a first in Cubs history, a player has announced he signed with the Cubs via twitter before the team's beat writer or media has reported it.
Late Monday evening former Pirates pitcher and Cubs nemesis Paul Maholm announced on his Twitter account that he had signed a one-year deal to pitch with the Chicago Cubs.
Maholm posted the following message to his fans and also announced he would be attending the annual Cubs Convention.
"I hope to get to continue some things when I visit during the year and start some great things as I start my Cubs career," Maholm tweeted in a message to Pirates fans.
The Cubs confirmed that Maholm signed a one-year deal worth $4.25 million and an option for 2013
The former Pirate is 53-73 in his career with a respectable ERA of 4.36.
The Maholm signing is the third new starter the Cubs have brought in this offseason. The Cubs obtained Travis Wood in the Sean Marshall trade and Chris Volstad in the Carlos Zambrano trade.
Signing Maholm could protect the Cubs rotation should they decide to move Matt Garza.
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