Sanchez is both a better pitcher and is more consistant than Liriano, posting an ERA+ of 117, 106, 100, 104 over the past four years with nearly 200 IP every year (compared to Liriano's epic ERA+ of 76, 112, 80, 77). He's the anti-Liriano. Unspectacular but far far FAR more consistent. The type of guy you give up a little more to get because he's worth extending to a multi-year deal. And it's really convenient that the people who want to play up Liriano have the tendency to ignore that the Marlins also gave up Infante in the trade, a middle infielder who is signed cheaply through 2013, has posted an OPS+ of 100 this season, and has posted a WAR of 2.9, 2.3, and 1.8 (partial season) over the past three years. And if you are a contending team, why on earth would you trade for Liriano when Sanchez is on the market? That would be a colossally stupid move. You try to get the best guys on the market first, not leave them on the board for your competition to snatch up later. In short, I don't think you should be calling anyone naive.