Pittsburgh Pirates add Francisco Liriano on minor league deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been looking for options to improve their pitching staff. In signing Francisco Liriano to a minor league deal, they may have done just that.

The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in danger of being left behind in the NL Central. Both the Brewers and Cardinals got stronger this offseason, while the Reds have gone all in on their attempts to contend in 2019. The Pirates? Well, they made their moves at the trade deadline last year, adding Chris Archer and Keone Kela to their roster.

However, the Pirates still need some help. They have added a piece that could prove worthwhile, bringing back former ace Francisco Liriano on a minor league deal.

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Liriano had previously spent three and a half years with the Pirates before being shipped to Toronto, along with two prospects, for Drew Hutchinson as part of a salary dump. However, before that deal, Liriano had been relatively productive, posting a 41-36 record, with a 3.67 ERA and a 1.310 WHiP. Over his 623.2 innings, Liriano struck out 659 batters against 283 walks. Based on ERA+, he had his greatest success as a Pirate, the only team that he was consistently above league average for.

If Liriano does make the Pirates roster, it will likely not be as a starter. As he has held left handed hitters to a lifetime .219/.294/.303 batting line, it would make sense for Liriano to function as a lefty specialist in the Pirates bullpen.

At this point in his career, Liraino is not the type of pitcher that will make a team a postseason contender on his won. However, he can be a useful piece on a contending team, especially if slotted into the bullpen. On a Pirates team with a relatively deep rotation, that is likely to be his role if he breaks camp on the major league roster.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have brought Francisco Liriano back on a minor league deal. This time, if he makes the roster, it will likely be in a bullpen role.