Francisco Liriano and the Minnesota Twins Need to Part Ways

Francisco Liriano's season in 2011 has been a microcosm of his career. There have been flashes of brilliance, such as his emergence in the starting rotation in 2006 when he would go 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 16 starts. Liriano was so dominating that he was being mentioned as a candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year as well as a potential Cy Young candidate.

But alas, it would not be. In August of that season, Liriano would experience pain in his left elbow, prompting a stint on the disabled list and a rehabilitation start in Triple-A. 

Liriano would attempt another start for the Twins, but his season would end in September, and he would miss the playoffs. He would also fail to amass enough innings to be eligible for the Cy Young award. In November, Liriano would have Tommy John surgery to reconstruct his ulnar collateral ligament and miss the entire 2007 season.

Ron Gardenhire and Rick Anderson have been waiting for Liriano to return to his dominating form ever since.

In 2008, Liriano would pitch only 15.2 innings in five games during spring training. He would start the season at Triple-A Rochester. An injury to starter Kevin Slowey would earn Liriano an early call up in April, but he struggled going 0-3 with an 11.3 ERA before being sent back down. 

Liriano would eventually make his way back to the Twins and finish the season with a 6-4 record and a 3.91 ERA—second among Twins starters to Scott Baker's 3.45 ERA.

Surely Liriano's rough start could be attributed to the long recovery from Tommy John surgery, and his emergence at the end of the season was a great sign that Liriano was once again poised to be the Twins ace.

However, the Liriano roller coaster ride would continue.

In 2009, Liriano would struggle to a 5-13 record and a 5.80 ERA—the second highest among Twins starters.

With his inconsistent performance in 2009, along with the loss of All-Star closer Joe Nathan for the 2010 season after Tommy John surgery, there was talk of moving Liriano to closer. This was a move that seemed to get Liriano's attention and he picked up his game, remaining in the starting rotation for 2010. 

Liriano would open the 2010 season with a 3-0 record and a 0.98 ERA, earning him the AL Pitcher of the Month for April. He would follow that up dropping six of nine games over May and June, then rebounding to go 6-1 in July and August. 

Liriano's 2010 roller coaster ride would end with a 14-10 record with a 3.62 ERA.

The trend continues in 2011.

Showing up at training camp out of shape, Liriano failed to follow the offseason strength training program the Twins had laid out for their potential pitching ace.

The high would be the no-hitter against the White Sox on May 3rd. It was Liriano's first complete game and first shutout in his career. The low would be on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. Liriano would not make it out of the third inning needing 78 pitches to get seven outs.

At home, against the current division leaders, the Twins really needed Liriano to perform like an ace. Instead he fell flat on his face. 

Before the season, there was speculation that the New York Yankees were interested in the Twins left-hander. If any team has any interest left in Liriano, Twins general manager Bill Smith would be wise to make a deal.

Set to become a free agent following this season, the Twins should move him while they can still get some value in return.

While his performance so far in 2011 would not incite a huge bidding war, there is always interest in left-handed pitchers. Currently with a 6-8 record and a 4.82 ERA, there may be just enough interest that the Twins could get a couple of minor league players to add to their farm system.

At seven games behind the AL Central Division-leading Tigers, the Twins should start the rebuilding process now. Parting ways with the up-and-down Liriano would be a good start to a successful 2012 season.