Liriano as closer?

[IdahoPilgrim]

Here's a wild, out-of-the box idea.

 

Liriano seems to have good stuff the first 1-2 innings he pitches. Then the wheels come off.

 

So how 'bout making him a closer?

 

Just a thought.

[Rosterman]

Any other year. But totally doubt that the Twins will risk arbitration with him, or he'll re-sign with the Twins beyond this season. He has no worth as a possible closer yet...unless he attitudes that way himself.......but anyone who trades for him will have to hope to sign him to something reasonable, which is out of the question since they would have to offer him arbitration at an outrageous price for his current abilities. The only way he stays a Twin is if the Twins offer him arbitration for $8 or so million and he jsut is not worth that gamble...again.

[glunn]

I think that this could pay off if he succeeded as a closer and could be traded before the trade deadline.

[Top Gun]

We got Capps, he is plenty good.

[Boom Boom]

It's pretty clear that Liriano is not part of this team's future. He's not helping his trade value any by being a mop-up reliever, so I think it makes some sense to have him try and close a few games. If he succeeds, suddenly he's a more tradeable asset. If he fails, you haven't really lost anything.

 

That being said, the Twins won't do it because they believe they still have a shot, or they want to make fans believe they still have a shot.

[CharacterGroove]

I hate to sound skittish, but I don't trust him to throw a strike with the game on the line.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Ummmmm.... No.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I wanted this tried in past years. I always thought that Liriano had one or two inning stuff. He would make a great closer or lefty situational guy. Twins have nothing to lose by trying this and yes, maybe it will help his trade value.

[NorthwestTwinsFan]

It's just been reported that he's been moved back to the rotation and will start Wednesday. Unbelievable.

[Thrylos]

Smartest thing the Twins did all season. Move him back to the rotation, hope he catches lightning in a bottle, makes a few good starts in a row and trade him.

[Top Gun]

Trade, trade trade, you just can't trade people. 1st you have to have someone to trade with.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Trade, trade trade, you just can't trade people. 1st you have to have someone to trade with.

Let's just pray he can string a few good starts together and that somewhere, someone in a front office is a little too far off their rocker.

[NorthwestTwinsFan]

Let's just pray he can string a few good starts together and that somewhere, someone in a front office is a little too far off their rocker.

This has to be the team's mindset. He has virtually zero value as a reliever, so the only hope the team has of moving him is if he shows glimpses of being a competent starter again. It's not likely to happen, but it's worth a try with this being a lost season.

[mikeee]

Looks like Liriano is going to be a starter again.

[Jerr]

I have felt the same in years past, but it's to late for that this year. Hopefully he can get some good starts and the Twins can trade him for something other than a box of forks:o

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Why move Liriano back to rotation unless this is last shot and he goes back to pen when Blackburn comes off rehab. I think closer shot would be better. As a starter Liriano had potential years ago--now not much. NO GM will give us even a decent prospect for him in a trade--maybe another washed up starter in the Marquis, Ramon Ortiz, Sir Sidney tradition....

[John Bonnes]

Moving Liriano back to the rotation seems like a mistake. There is now way a couple of starts suddenly make other teams reevaluate who he is. Personally, I think performing as a solid reliever would garner as much interest in him as anything.

 

That said, let's face it, they're out of arms that can be starters. At this point, there isn't a great move. Swarzak? Duensing? Now maybe Manship? They're all stretched, and the Twins have more reason to protect them to protect Liriano any more.

 

In that way, this is a preview of things to come. I am really not looking forward to reading the box scores in 2013.