MLB Trade Rumors: Angels and Blue Jays Interested in Francisco Liriano
The Twins are not good. They have some good pieces, but they are not good overall. The one-time feel-good
story out of the American League Central has fallen on hard times. After nine seasons out of ten with finishes above .500 and six play-off appearances, the Twins lost 99 games last year. This year isn’t much better. They are 38-53. Because of this, the Twins are obvious sellers as the trade deadline approaches, but they don’t have much they can sell. However, they do have Francisco Liriano.
According to Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN in Minnesota, both the Los Angeles Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays have shown legitimate interest in Liriano.
The Angels are believed to be dangling outfielder Peter Bourjos in any potential deal for pitching. The Angels have a surplus of outfielders, and Bourjos, 25, has batted only 155 times this season, posting a line of .243/.298/.360.
There are numerous other teams who have shown interest in Liriano including the Red Sox, Braves, and Nationals. However, the Angles and the Blue Jays are the most recent and most likely suitors as it stands now. The Blue Jays may fall out of contention and thus out of the buyer’s category with Jose Bautista on the DL. Right now, Toronto is 3.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot in the American League, but they are two games under .500. The Angels, on the other hand, look like one of the better teams in the league. With C.J. Wilson, Jered Weaver, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and Mark Trumbo, the Angels have a team to reckoned with.
Francisco Liriano is 3-9 with a 4.81 ERA, but he has shown flashes of greatness. He has never been the same pitcher he was prior to Tommy John surgery in 2006, but he still has a great deal of talent. His FIP and xFIP indicate Liriano has been rather unlucky this season and is actually pitching better than his ERA would indicate. His FIP is 3.86. His xFIP is 3.84.
Should the Twins deal Liriano, they will be looking to restock their farm system. Much like the Cubs, the Twins have a depleted system and it’s clear they are not in a position to compete any time soon.