Tag Archives: francisco liriano

Twins rotation banged up in early going

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It’s too early for Minnesota Twins fans to hit the panic button. But in the early stages of spring training, starting pitchers Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano are already a little behind.

Baker is coming off of offseason surgery and believes he’s about a week behind the rest of the rotation. Not a big surprise. Certainly understandable.

Liriano got a lot of attention after complaining of shoulder soreness. In mid-Februrary it’s nothing to get too riled up about. But hardly good news for a starter that’s just a couple seasons removed from Tommy John surgery.

The Twins rotation faces a big test this season, and these two guys are at the forefront.

Baker must return to being that dependable starter that he mostly has been over the course of his career.

Liriano had a monster year in 2010, and the Twins certainly would like to see another one of those this season.

And considering the bullpen departures in the offseason, Minnesota this season moreso than last year will be needing the starting pitchers to work deep into ballgames.

Trading Liriano worth exploring, but the timing just isn’t right

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The Minnesota Twins acquired Francisco Liriano as a minor league pitcher, basically a throw-in when they shipped catcher A.J. Pierzynski to the San Francisco Giants for pitchers Boof Bonser and Joe Nathan.

Francisco Liriano

Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano bounced back in a big way in 2010. Associated Press photo

Arm injuries aside, this was highway robbery by any measure of baseball trades.

Problem is, those types of trades don’t happen very often.

Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Joe Christensen penned an interesting commentary piece for the Strib that reports that Twins officials are pretty open to the idea of trading Liriano during spring training.

The rationale is two-fold from what I can tell: 1) The Twins have depth in their rotation (although we’ll get to that). 2) Liriano’s value might never be higher.

It is true that Liriano had an outstanding season in 2010. He won 14 games, posted an ERA of 3.62 and struck out 201 batters. From a “stuff” perspective, he’s the nastiest of the Twins starters.

However, trading Liriano would also mean, in my opinion, raising a white flag of sorts on 2011. Yeah, in the AL Central, there’s always an opportunity to contend. But handing rotation spots to disappointing starters like Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn – after having already handed starting jobs to middle infielders Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Alexi Casilla – adds to the team’s question marks.

Of course, trading Liriano means there would be a return. But what kind of return would the Twins get for him? Let’s remember he’s not that far removed from Tommy John surgery, and he posted an absolutely abysmal season in 2009.

The Twins are skeptical about his long-term future, but so is everyone else. If the Twins could get the kind of loaded prospect return that the Chicago Cubs gave to Tampa Bay to get Matt Garza, then maybe it’s worth it. But I’m not convinced that would be the case.

My opinion is the Twins are better off hanging onto Liriano – who is under team control through 2012 – until at least July and seeing where they are at in the division race.

Now that was a discouraging loss

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Back home at Target Field. Joe Mauer back in the lineup. Francisco Liriano – your Game 1 starter – on the mound. And the uplifting news that Justin Morneau could be on the path to recovery from a concussion. All of these factors seemed like just what the Twins needed to get over the five-game losing streak that had been snapped the night before.

Francisco Liriano

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano, center, yielded five runs in 5 1/3 innings Thursday. Associated Press photo

Instead, Thursday’s game was just like five of the previous six, with the Twins losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 13-2 to open the team’s final series before the playoffs.

Minnesota has now given up double-digits in runs in five of the last seven games. But Thursday’s loss wasn’t comparable to the 11-10 loss the Twins took when Liriano left early with an upset stomach in his last start. Nor was it comparable to the Nick Blackburn 10-1 loss or the Kevin Slowey 10-8 loss. This was your Game 1 starter. And with Mauer back, the Twins lineup looked more like a playoff one rather than a Rochester Red Wings one.

Twins designated hitter and the state’s latest 40-year-old icon, Jim Thome, is expected to play Friday. Carl Pavano – the Twins workhorse, routinely going 7 innings in a start – pitches for Minnesota. Can Pavano be the stopper? Twins are going to need him to be. Momentum is overrated, but these losses are getting pretty embarrassing and will certainly be a talking point for baseball analysts as the playoffs approach.

Twins look dangerous when healthy … relatively speaking

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When the Minnesota Twins’ “A” lineup – or the players that most represent an “A” lineup since the injury to Justin Morneau – takes the field, they look like a formidable foe.

Francisco Liriano

Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano has made the most of extra rest this season. Associated Press photo

The Twins posted a nine-spot on Tuesday to take the first game of a three-game series from the Chicago White Sox 9-3. The Twins’ lead in the AL Central is now at seven games over Chicago.

Aside from the offense, Francisco Liriano had some ups and downs. He was dominant at times, but he pitched himself into a few jams too. Liriano allowed three runs in six innings of work.

This is where locking up the division comes into play. Liriano really seemed to benefit from extra rest a few weeks ago. Ideally, the Twins could put themselves in a position down the stretch to give Liriano an extra day or two here or there. Does that mean Liriano lacks the toughness or endurance to make it through a full season on regular rest? Think what you want. The important thing is that the Twins have him pitching at his best in October.

And the return of left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes has been a nice addition to the team. He cruised through the eighth inning before giving way to Jon Rauch.

Some of the injured pieces are starting to come back. But it’s important now for the Twins to finish off the Sox, then start to give an extra day off here or there to some of their key players. Morneau is out, and the Twins can ill afford to lose anyone else.

And on Thursday, the main event

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The Minnesota Twins did what they needed to do against the Colorado Rockies to start their three-game series. They won the first two.

The reason that was so important was the series finale Thursday has the Twins facing the Rockies’ Cy Young candidate Ubaldo Jimenez.

And the Twins counter with none other than Francisco Liriano.

I’ve pointed out recently how good Liriano has been pitching. It’s time to give Jimenez his due.

His numbers are downright ridiculous. In 13 starts so far, the Rockies right-hander is 12-1 with a 1.16 ERA, striking out 84 in 93.1 innings.

Here’s a few interesting nuggets to get you jacked up for Thursday’s noon game:

  • In six of Jimenez’s starts, he hasn’t given up an earned run.
  • The one game that Jimenez lost – he has no no-decisions, so it’s the only game he hasn’t won – was a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 9. Jimenez disappointed the Colorado faithful, allowing one run on two hits in seven innings.
  • He’s given up more than two runs in a start just once, and that was the three runs he gave up last time out, a 5-3 win against the lethal Toronto Blue Jays lineup.

Liriano enjoys quite the resurgence

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You don’t need to look beyond Friday’s start to see how good Francisco Liriano has been at times this season for the Minnesota Twins.

And you don’t need to look beyond last season’s stats to see how far he has come.

Liriano shut down the Atlanta Braves offense, holding the NL East leaders to a run on five hits in eight innings as the Twins prevailed 2-1.

The Twins needed Liriano to be at his best Friday. Minnesota’s infield could be easily confused with one you might find at Rochester or New Britain these days, except for that former MVP first baseman, of course.

But Liriano kept the Braves in check long enough for his offense to plate a couple of runs in the seventh inning off of veteran Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson.

It’s incredible to look at the difference between Liriano’s numbers this year and his numbers last year.

  • 2009: 29 games (24 starts), 5-13 record, 5.80 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 136.2 IP, 122 Ks, 65 BB
  • 2010: 12 games (12 starts), 6-3 record, 2.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 80.2 IP, 87 Ks, 21 BB

While all of these numbers are telling, the one I left out was homers. Last year, Liriano allowed 21 longballs. This season, just two.

When you compare this season to his breakout one in 2006, it’s obvious he’s not the same pitcher. Back in 2006, Liriano held opponents to a .205 batting average. This year, it was .254 entering Friday’s game. I don’t feel like doing the math to see where it’s at afterward, but you get the picture.

But he’s doing as good of job keeping the ball in the park as he ever has in his career. So if it’s true that Liriano has really learned how to pitch, the Twins might finally have an ace again.

Twins cap tough 10-game stretch in best way

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The Minnesota Twins can’t ask for much more than what they’ve gotten in the first 10 games this season.

With three straight series against playoff contenders the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox, the Twins stand 7-3 heading into Friday’s game against Kansas City.

And what better way to cap that 10-game stretch than with a big performance from Francisco Liriano.

The Twins need big-time production from Liriano, considering their perceived lack of an ace. And on Thursday, that’s just what the pitcher once known as "The Franchise" provided.

Liriano tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts and walking just two.

Michael Cuddyer homered for the second straight game for Minnesota in its 8-0 victory.

Outings like Thursday are the reason I’m glad the Twins gave Liriano a chance in the rotation. I know a lot of people want to see him in the bullpen, and they might still be right. But if Liriano can build on his success Thursday against a very good Red Sox team, then he’s going to make a huge difference for the Twins.

Liriano is frontrunner for fifth starter spot

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Twins manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed what most of us had already figured out.

Gardenhire said Thursday that Francisco Liriano is in the driver’s seat for the fifth starter’s spot in the Twins rotation.

About a week ago, Gardy suggested that Liriano was the best candidate for the closer’s job, but it appears the Twins will give him one more chance as a starter first.

I think this makes a lot of sense. As bad as the Twins might think they could use a closer, I’d rather have another effective starter. And his main competition for the starter’s spot – Brian Duensing and Glen Perkins - haven’t exactly set the world on fire this spring, though Duensing had a solid outing on Thursday.

Liriano struggled last season, but this spring he’s tossed 14 innings, allowing six earned runs on 16 hits while striking out 22 and walking just 2. Spring stats are just spring stats, but the walk number itself should be enough to give him one more chance in the rotation.

If Twins are built to win now, a trade for a closer must be made

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The Minnesota Twins have had a very busy offseason. But when you look at the moves made, all signs point to 2010 being a big season for the team.

Think about it. Orlando Hudson is signed to a one-year deal. Jim Thome is signed for one year. Same with Carl Pavano. Even guys like J.J. Hardy, Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer only have two years left on their contracts.

Plus, this is the last season that Joe Mauer won’t be getting compensated as one of the highest-paid players in baseball. He’ll be making a "modest" $12 million.

I don’t want this to come off as gloom and doom after 2011. The Twins have some good guys deep in the minor leagues, and there’s a good chance with the Target Field revenue coming that they’ll keep a few of the above guys.

But the time to win is now. The team has said as much.

Having said all of that, the thought of Francisco Liriano being handed a closer’s job – left open now that Joe Nathan has decided to have season-ending surgery – seems laughable to me.

But it’s true. Even manager Ron Gardenhire has said he thinks Liriano is the one guy with the stuff to do the job.

But what makes a good closer? I’d say it takes more than just having a power arm. There has to be the confidence in that ability. There needs to be the ability to go out and pitch back-to-back days, even if that first outing wasn’t a pleasant one. Is there any reason to believe Liriano could do this?

I have long said I think Liriano can still do the job, and maybe one day that job will be closing games. But it shouldn’t be handed to him. The second a franchise hands jobs to players without them earning it is when things go wrong.

That’s why I say – with Mauer locked up long-term – it’s time to make a deal. San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell is one of the game’s best, and considering the low expectations for that team – he should be there for the taking.

What would it take? I don’t know. I’d start by offering up someone like power-hitting catching prospect Wilson Ramos, who seems expendable now that Mauer is in for the long haul.

Is there a chance Ramos develops? Of course. But you KNOW what you’re getting from Bell, and he would give production at a position of need.

Bell is under team control through 2011. And at this point in his career, he’d be a shoe-in for Type A free-agent status should he walk away as a free agent after that season. So the Twins could still stand to get two first-round picks for him.

If the Twins really want to win now, they’ll go with a closer they know can do the job.

Liriano makes stride in comeback

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Francisco Liriano had a big season in winter ball. We’ve all heard about that.

On Saturday, Liriano slipped on a major league uniform and faced major league batters for the first time since winter ball. And so far, so good.

The spring-training games are meaningless this time of year. But for the players involved, they are important. Especially for a guy like Liriano, who is coming off a miserable 2009 season.

Liriano’s line from Saturday against the Boston Red Sox: 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts.