Maholm and the team agreed yesterday morning on a term that guarantees his salary through his three arbitration-eligible years and comes with a club option for a fourth year, the latter buying out his first season under free agency. Salary figures were not immediately available, but the total guaranteed money could be in the range of $13 million.

All that was needed for completion was for Maholm to pass a physical, something of a formality considering he was examined two weeks ago at minicamp in Bradenton, Fla. He flew to Pittsburgh yesterday.

Maholm, 26, was the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2003 and is fresh off his finest season, going 9-9 with a 3.71 ERA. He established career bests in starts (31), innings pitched (2061/3) and strikeouts (139). His 3.11 ERA from May 31 until season's end was ninth lowest in the National League. Among left-handers, only CC Sabathia, Johan Santana and Cole Hamels were better in that stretch.

Maholm's agent, Bo McKinnis, and the team began discussing a multiyear contract in early December, but that appeared in jeopardy later that month when Pirates president Frank Coonelly publicly stated that only catcher Ryan Doumit was likely to get such an extension this offseason. Multiyear talks never stopped, though, in large part because Maholm was supportive, and they picked up momentum two weeks ago.

No one from either side would comment yesterday.

By reaching agreement, Maholm and the team will avoid their arbitration hearing, which had been set for Feb. 10. The sides last week exchanged salary figures toward that hearing, Maholm filing for $3.8 million, the team $2.65 million.

The Pirates' only remaining player with a hearing is outfielder Nate McLouth, set for Feb. 17. The sides continue to talk toward a one-year deal, their multiyear talks having fizzled in December.

Other than Maholm and Doumit, the players who have received multiyear extensions since new management took over in late 2007 are second baseman Freddy Sanchez, starter Ian Snell and closer Matt Capps. In every case but Capps, the Pirates secured the rights to at least one year of free agency through club options.

All that was known about Hinske's contract was that he and the team agreed to terms of a deal covering one guaranteed year. The salary is expected to be in the range of $1.5 million, which would be nearly double the $800,000 he made last season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

He also was on his way to Pittsburgh for a physical.

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NOTES -- A player will have to come off the full 40-man roster to clear space for Hinske. The prime candidate would appear to be infielder Luis Cruz. ... Tim Redding, who signed with the New York Mets earlier this month for one year at $2.2 million, told the MLB Network that the Pirates had been among the teams interested in him.