Article: Liriano Rediscovers the Slider

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

A 5.63 ERA in only 5 starts at Target Field is a terrible reason to not sign him. No, the Twins won't sign him because he'll be too expensive.

And giving a contract to someone with those numbers in your home park is irresponsible.

[snepp]

And giving a contract to someone with those numbers in your home park is irresponsible.

No, drawing any conclusions whatsoever from a sample size that incredibly small and completely meaningless would be irresponsible.

[glunn]

Other than Liriano, is there even a remote hope for an ace next year?

[ltwedt]

Ship him - but get SOMETHING

[ashbury]

I'd offer 3/$21 right now. I bet he'd take it.

He quite possibly would, assuming he's not fed up with the organization and wants to start fresh somewhere.

 

This is why Terry Ryan sits in the big chair - a very difficult decision. Shades of signing Nick Blackburn - there's a very big risk that a year from now Liriano is back to scuffling and the contract makes him totally untradeable, instead of just not tradeable for as much as we'd want. A similar size contract to what was given to Willingham, but with much greater risk/reward either side.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

Other than Liriano, is there even a remote hope for an ace next year?

Not in the organization. Twins need to throw a pile of cash at Grienke's feet.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Not in the organization. Twins need to throw a pile of cash at Grienke's feet.

If they sign Grienke, they need to keep Liriano. The idea of the maid knocking on their hotel room door a little too loudly and both of them wetting the bed is too great a situation to pass up.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

If they sign Grienke, they need to keep Liriano. The idea of the maid knocking on their hotel room door a little too loudly and both of them wetting the bed is too great a situation to pass up.

They need to bring back tweak to get the insane pitcher trifecta.

[chopper0080]

At some point you have to stop chasing the pipe dream of Liriano and his "ace potential" and move on, hopefully while also adding some sort of prospect that could develop into a contributor. I would rather pay Anibal Sanchez 12.5 million than Liriano any day of the week. I get the "potential" and "upside" of Liriano, but not trading him when his contract is nearly up and letting him walk for nothing is stupid.

[The Greatest Poster Alive]

At some point you have to stop chasing the pipe dream of Liriano and his "ace potential" and move on, hopefully while also adding some sort of prospect that could develop into a contributor. I would rather pay Anibal Sanchez 12.5 million than Liriano any day of the week. I get the "potential" and "upside" of Liriano, but not trading him when his contract is nearly up and letting him walk for nothing is stupid.

Thinking someone is going to trust Liriano in a stretch run is just as stupid.

 

You can trade him for a player on the level of Cole Devries... or HOld on to him and not further deplete your roster for the rest of the year...

 

If someone actually offers something worthwhile, then sure trade him... but for a throwaway prospect the trade is not worth adding to the already huge depth problem in the rotation.

[etspaceman]

Honestly, I wouldn't care if Liriano doesn't net much in a trade; at this point, it's probably best to give young, developing players the innings rather than starting a guy who hasn't "figured it out" in 5 years after his Tommy John. What are we hoping for anymore?

 

This reminds me of the Boof Bonser situation, quite frankly.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Honestly, I wouldn't care if Liriano doesn't net much in a trade; at this point, it's probably best to give young, developing players the innings rather than starting a guy who hasn't "figured it out" in 5 years after his Tommy John. What are we hoping for anymore?

I think it has more to do with the rest of system having zero options than it does Liriano's ability to pitch. If you can sign Liriano for similar money to a Marquis-type junk pitcher, it might not be a bad idea (though I think someone out there will give Liriano more than that, especially if he keeps throwing well this season).

[old nurse]

This reminds me of the Boof Bonser situation, quite frankly.

Bonser was more of a head case due to weight. Being heavy killed his endurance. He was ok as a rookie. After losing weight he lost something. Liriano pitched well when the games didn't count this year. The Twins being so far out the games don't count for much, Liriano is pitching better.

[Guest USAFChief]

There are two options, really. Sign him now to an extension, or deal him before the deadline. I would choose the first option. If you don't sign him there really is no benefit to keeping him through the end of the season.

[etspaceman]

This reminds me of the Boof Bonser situation, quite frankly.

Bonser was more of a head case due to weight. Being heavy killed his endurance. He was ok as a rookie. After losing weight he lost something. Liriano pitched well when the games didn't count this year. The Twins being so far out the games don't count for much, Liriano is pitching better.

 

Bonser was a head-case because he couldn't control his fastball, much like Liriano.

 

And excuses like what you've just stated for Liriano were exactly what was being said about Bonser. He has an ERA over 5 and it seems like he hits a batter in every outing. He's been pretty solid lately in terms of runs, but his control still isn't there and I wouldn't be surprised to see him slip in his next few outings. It's been five years after his Tommy John; it's time to start realizing that his current state is what he is - an inconsistent, hard-throwing pitcher.

 

I do tend to agree that retaining him for a price of a Marquis or something is fine.

[peterb18]

I would keep Liriano on the basis of what he is doing now, or potential. However, somebody mentioned that he might not want to come back--that could be accurate. So he might need a change of scenery. But, if the Twins are looking for starting pitchers with good stuff, by keeping Liriano, and Gibson and Baker(Baker has a nice live arm) come back strong then we have three pitchers with solid ability. By adding Grienke we would have four quality arms. All big if's!