"The Pirates and pitcher Paul Maholm are poised to part ways.

The Pirates have decided against picking up Maholm's $9.75 million contract option for 2012. That will trigger a $750,000 buyout and allow the left-hander to become a free agent for the first time.

"There are no guarantees, but I'm going to test (free agency) and see where it goes," Maholm said Wednesday.

He said the team told his agent it wouldn't pick up the option. "I'm not going to close any doors, but I want to see what's out there," Maholm said. "I owe that to my family to do what's best for them.""