X

Have feedback / suggestions? Let us know!

MLB

Re-Signing Francisco Liriano Should Be Pittsburgh Pirates’ Top Offseason Priority

By @Tweets_ByJ

Francisco Liriano

Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates came into the offseason with several needs. The team’s first goal was to sign Russell Martin to a mega contract and the next goal was to upgrade the starting rotation. With Martin moving on by signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, the priority becomes finding a top of the rotation starting pitcher. And the pitcher that they should focus on is the team’s own Francisco Liriano.

Liriano needs to be the Pirates’ top priority, because he has become one of the most dominant pitchers in the league over the past two seasons in Pittsburgh. In those seasons, Liriano has a record of 23-18 while holding an ERA below 3.30 and striking out over nine batters per nine innings. He also has a high ground ball rate that plays perfectly into the Pirates’ defensive strategy. Liriano is also a left-handed pitcher, which makes him a naturally better fit in Pittsburgh because of the dimensions of the Pirates’ home stadium.

Besides the stats, the Pirates need to re-sign Liriano instead of going after another pitcher because he has the most potential out of anyone in the same category. Other pitchers being mentioned along with the Pirates in rumors are the likes of Ervin Santana and Brandon McCarthy. Both players are great pitchers to have in a rotation, but neither Santana nor McCarthy have ever had as good of seasons as Liriano has had in his career. In the right situation, Liriano can be an ace and provide value that is well worth the money that the Pirates would sign him for.

One final reason the Pirates need to make Liriano their top priority is that he enjoys playing for the Pirates. The team and coaching staff revived his career and know what makes him the best pitcher that he can be. That loyalty and respect that Liriano has for the Pirates could mean that he gives his preference to re-sign with the team and takes a discount to be in Pittsburgh, much like A.J. Burnett did with the team earlier in the offseason.

The Pirates are in desperate need of a top of the rotation starter, and they have one in Liriano. He has been dominant with the Pirates, has the most potential of any pitcher in his class and could take a lesser deal to remain in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have money to spend this offseason, and they should make it their top priority to spend that money on Liriano.

Justin Broyles is a Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Tweets_ByJ, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on