Pittsburgh Pirates sign left-hander Francisco Liriano – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, December 21, signed veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano to a two-year, $14 million, deal. Multiple portals confirmed the news reported by The Star Tribune of Minneapolis first.
After having remained associated with the Minnesota Twins for 5 ½ seasons, he was traded to Chicago White Sox this July. The pitcher posted 5.34 ERA with 6-12 record in 2012.
Ever since the pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery, back in 2007, he has been struggling to regain his form. Although 2010 remained relatively better, as he posted 3.62 ERA, his overall 4.40 ERA bespeaks of the tough time he has had.
Before being dealt to the Chicago White Sox, he had 3-10 record with the Minnesota Twins this past season. With the White Sox, all the same, the pitcher could not show the kind of performance that the team had expected – losing three games in the total of 11 starts that he made.
It was his tremendous performance in 2006 as a rookie that filled the Twins with the hope that the pitcher had the potential to alter the Twins’ rotation, and bolster it. That year, he posted a stellar 2.16 ERA.
But the following year was that of struggle wherein he also underwent Tommy John surgery. Since then, he has been trying to find the toehold, if not foothold.
However, the Pirates have their own calculations. They hope things would change a great deal in the days ahead. Spring Training would be a good start to determine the level of preparedness and fitness of the pitcher.
Part of the reason why the Bucs went for it was that they had a total of four starters for the rotation. They did need another: And eventually found one in Francisco Liriano. Whether Liriano will regain his form that he had once exhibited would be something to see in Spring Training.
In times when the National League Central has become ever more competitive with more attention dedicated to acquiring the right set of pitchers to bolster defence, the Pirates too are looking for making most of the opportunities that come their way.
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