"Brandon Webb, a one-time Cy Young Award winner in Arizona, would welcome a chance to come back from shoulder surgery in Pittsburgh, his agent said Tuesday.

The Pirates are one of roughly a half-dozen suitors through free agency.

"The Pirates are an organization that Brandon and I have a lot of respect for, especially for the GM," agent Jonathan Maurer said, referring to general manager Neal Huntington. "But they're also one of a number of teams that are interested."

Webb, 31, was the Cy Young winner in 2006 and a National League All-Star in 2006-08, posting ERAs of 3.10, 3.01 and 3.30 in that span. But his right shoulder was injured on opening day in 2009, and he had surgery Aug. 3 of that year.

He has not pitched competitively since then, though he had a workout two months ago in front of 18 teams -- including the Pirates -- where he achieved 85 mph on the radar gun with what Maurer called "about 75-80 percent of his usual strength." Webb, a sinker specialist, previously peaked at around 90 mph.

Maurer emphasized that Webb's shoulder, which has been examined by several teams, is healthy enough that he will be ready to pitch at full strength for the start of spring training."