What an offseason for Francisco Liriano. It was first reported that he and the Pittsburgh Pirates had agreed to a two-year deal worth $14 million. After learning that he injured his non-throwing arm over Christmas, the deal looked to be over. As an insurance piece, the Pirates went out an re-signed Jeff Karstens to replace Liriano.
As it was announced today however, the wheels started spinning again with Liriano. As Fox Sports has announced, the Pirates have agreed to a revised two-year deal with Liriano worth $14 million. Liriano’s deal will be adjusted if he gets injured in the first year of it.
The south-paw spent last year in Minnesota and Chicago where he posted a combined 6-12 record with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Liriano has had an up-and-down career with his best statistical season coming in 2006 where he posted a 12-3 record. Liriano posted a 9.6 SO/9 last season, his highest ratio since 2006. Liriano had a 0.2 WAR with Chicago last year compared to his -0.5 with Minnesota in the first half of the season.
The Pirates will add Liriano to a rotation that currently features A.J. Burnett, James McDonald, Wandy Rodriguez and Jeff Karstens. The move is big for the Pirates as it knocks Jeff Locke and Kyle McPherson out of the back end. Come midseason, the Pirates will also have Charlie Morton who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, that they re-signed in the offseason. This marks the fourth major move of the offseason for the Pirates along with the signing of Karstens, of Russell Martin (two-years, $17 million) and the re-signing of Jason Grilli (two-years, $6.75 million).
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