Daily Dodger in Review: Short and not-so-sweet season of Paul Maholm

PAUL MAHOLM, 32, pitcher.

Final 2014 stats: 1-5, 4.84 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, .297 opponent batting average, 4.3 strikeouts and 1.0 homer run per nine innings in 30 appearances (70 2/3 innings).

Contract status: Free agent.

The good: When the Dodgers were down a starter early in the season, he stepped in and started eight games (1-4, 4.74 earned-run average). He didn’t exactly dazzle but at least bought them some time. His best game came April 26 at home when he held the Colorado Rockies to two runs on six hits and a walk for his only victory.

The bad: Tore a knee ligament, had surgery and never threw again after Aug. 1. He was signed to be a swingman, but never was truly effective starting or relieving. Had the highest WHIP and opponent batting average of any pitcher on the team with at least 50 innings.

What’s next: Nothing that involves the Dodgers. Maholm is young enough that he can still pitch, but he doesn’t exactly fit new management’s player profile. Particularly with his lifetime numbers (77-100, 4.30 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and continuing decline.

The take: Maholm was worth a shot, and if he wasn’t a complete bust, neither did he do anything to make the Dodgers believe he could perform any better next season. Even assuming he fully recovers from knee surgery.

New President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman needs to find a fifth starter and probably a couple of fallback options, but can’t see him returning to Maholm. He’ll turn 33 next June and his velocity hasn’t exactly been on the upswing.