Free-agent left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano announced his retirement on Monday after 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, according to his agent, Mike Maulini. Liriano spent most of his playing days pitching for the Minnesota Twins (seven years) and Pittsburgh Pirates (five years). The southpaw was an All-Star just once, and it came in his first full season with Minnesota in 2006. Liriano had his best seasons in his first four years with Pittsburgh, when he had under a 3.50 ERA in each of ...

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Francisco Liriano was granted his release on Monday. He had an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract which he chose to exercise after he learned he would not be making the club out of the spring. The veteran left-hander pitched well this spring and did not allow a run in 7.1 innings. He had a 6-3 K-BB ratio with four hits allowed. Liriano became expendable with the re-emergence of fellow southpaw Tim Mayza who is returning from Tommy John surgery. The Blue Jays ...

The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to terms with free-agent left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano on an undisclosed deal on Tuesday night, according to a source. Liriano will be a non-roster invitee to spring training. The southpaw was traded to the Astros in 2017 for young outfield prospect Teoscar Hernandez. He sat out the entire 2020 season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The 37-year-old last pitched in the big leagues in 2019 with the Pirates, making 69 relief appearances and posting a 3.47 ...

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Francisco Liriano will report to summer camp on Wednesday, according to a source with direct knowledge. Liriano has been absent from camp the last two days and has been evaluating whether he wants to play this season amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 36-year-old veteran left-hander could still change his mind later, but for now he will report to camp. Liriano had a 3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and an 8.1 K/9 in 70 relief innings for the Pirates last year. He has 300 career...

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed with relief pitcher Francisco Liriano on a minor league deal on Wednesday, according to sources. Liriano can make $1.5 million with $1.25 million in incentives if he makes the major league roster. The veteran left-hander made 69 relief appearances for the Pirates in 2019 and had a 3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 63 strikeouts and 35 walks in 70 innings pitched for the Bucs. Liriano has made 300 starts in his career, but at this point he's a bullpen arm that the Phillies ...

Pittsburgh Pirates veteran pitcher Francisco Liriano and outfielder Melky Cabrera have been assured by the team that they have made the opening day roster. Liriano played last season with the Detroit Tigers, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and 18.8 K%. Cabrera played 78 games with the Cleveland Indians last year, slashing .280/.335./.420 with six home runs and 39 RBI. Neither veteran is likely to be a fantasy relevant option this season. The Pirates have not announced who will be dropped from the 40[...]

I'll openly acknowledge that I don't really do bold predictions.I sit, read, think, and then watch the players play. If I see something, maybe I'll write an article.But in the spirit of fun, I've put together my own version of 10 Bold Predictions that will definitely, almost probably come to pass. Paul DeJongis a top-ten shortstop and top-100 playerHere's my position: Your team would be better if you built your strategy around getting Paul DeJong at his current cost. Right now, no other pla[...]

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to use pitcher Francisco Liriano as a reliever heading into spring training after signing him to a minor league deal on Monday. It makes more sense to use the aging left-hander as a lefty specialist rather than a starter given his splits against lefty hitters (.219 average) in his career and the fact that he's just been unreliable as a starter for the last few seasons with several different teams. Liriano would've only had fantasy value in deep NL-only leagues[...]

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent starting pitcher Francisco Liriano on Monday, according to sources. The 35-year-old left-hander was an ugly 5-12 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and mediocre 7.4 K/9 in 27 outings (26 starts) for the Tigers in 2018. He was even worse in 2017 (5.66 ERA, 1.63 [...]