Francisco Liriano Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Star Pitcher
Francisco Liriano has reportedly signed a deal to remain with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Continue for updates.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
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Liriano Deal Reportedly Done
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has an update on Liriano:
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Liriano Talks to Twins
ESPN's Darren Wolfson reports that a new team has entered the fray for Liriano:
"The Twins have had conversations with Greg Genske, the agent for Liriano and free-agent left-hander Brett Anderson, according to a separate source.
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Wednesday, Nov. 19
Liriano Demands Reported
Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on the kind of deal Fransisco Liriano is wanting:
Monday, Nov. 10
Liriano Hits Free Agency
Francisco Liriano figures to receive a good amount of attention on the free-agent market this season. The 31-year-old left-hander followed up a solid 2013 season with another strong campaign for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014. Despite only posting a 7-10 record, Liriano's ERA was 3.38 and he pitched 162.1 innings.
It was the second straight season he pitched 160-plus innings. Lefty starters who can consistently produce that type of production will always be a commodity.
With that in mind, Liriano has reportedly rejected the Pirates' qualifying offer, via Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette passed along comments from general manager Neal Huntington following the announcement:
The Boston Red Sox might be a team interested in obtaining Liriano's services. Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe writes:
"The Red Sox seem infatuated, and Liriano has pitched well for the Pirates the last two seasons, posting a 3.20 ERA and piling up strikeouts. Warning sign: a 4.40 ERA in seven American League seasons."
Could that elevated ERA against the AL be a deterrent? It's possible, which would make pitching-hungry National League squads like the Chicago Cubs interesting potential suitors.
The Cubs figure to go after a front-line starter, but per Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, via Dan Toman of TheScore.com, the team is looking to add two starting pitchers. Jon Lester is rumored to be one of the major targets in free agency, per Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
Adding two left-handers might be overkill, but Liriano has to at least be a thought for a team like the Cubs.
