Liriano Returning it appears

SCBucco · Post by **SCBucco** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:34 pm

saw a tweet by Rosenthal saying the Pirates and Francisco Liriano reached an agreement per The Athletic.

notes34 · Post by **notes34** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:36 pm

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:45 pm

Liriano signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The 35-year-old returns to the place where he had the best stretch of his career, as he posted a 3.26 ERA in Pittsburgh from 2013 to 2015. In the three years since then, his ERA has sat at 4.89, and given his age, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him continue to slip. The rebuilding Pirates will hope he has something left in the tank, at least in a relief role.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseb ... h-pirates/

Just a minor league deal. Possibly a new LHP in the BP?

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:02 pm

If he makes the team I wonder if they will trade him at mid season along with 2 minor league players.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:25 pm

515D5C070E070F02051A00370 wrote: If he makes the team I wonder if they will trade him at mid season along with 2 minor league players.
If they trade him too many times they'll run out of minor leaguers.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:51 pm

When he was here in 2016 his walk rate increased dramatically. The first couple years he was on the Pirates staff, he had very good control. I think the Pirates could have signed another pitcher on a minor league contract who would have been better than Liriano.

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:35 pm

2E2223787178707D7A657F480 wrote: When he was here in 2016 his walk rate increased dramatically. The first couple years he was on the Pirates staff, he had very good control. I think the Pirates could have signed another pitcher on a minor league contract who would have been better than Liriano.
It's just the standard dumpster dive. Other than Vazquez, the only LHP in the BP is the ineffective Brault. So they addressed this urgent need with minor league cntracts to Tyler Lyons and Liriano.

BenM · Post by **BenM** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:52 pm

I hope this goes better than Vogelsong's return.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Mon Feb 04, 2019 11:18 pm

4562694A070 wrote: I hope this goes better than Vogelsong's return.
I doubt it will because Liriano was rather ineffective in 2016 whenever he was traded to the Blue Jays.

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Tue Feb 05, 2019 2:20 am

Just read that Liriano has been effective in relief, and whenever going through the lineup the first time. Maybe the Pirates are convinced to use the Opener idea for their number 5 starting pitcher. I would rather they have a set #5 guy, but possibly they may think the Opener plan is the way to go until if and when Keller arrives.