Pittsburgh Pirates still trying to work out deal with Francisco Liriano
By Matt Shetler
Pitchers and catchers report to Bradenton in eight days and Francisco Liriano’s name is still not a Pittsburgh Pirate.
Twice now it has been reported that Liriano and the Bucs have agreed to a two-year contract, but as of now, that deal has yet to be finalized.
Sept 15, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (58) looks on before delivering a pitch in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The White Sox won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The holdup now on the deal is that the Pirates want to sign Liriano to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training and a legitimate chance to make the rotation. However, Liriano is said to at least want one guaranteed year with an option for 2014.
The Liriano saga has been an interesting one for sure.
On December 22, it was reported that the two sides agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.75 million contract, but the southpaw broke his non-throwing arm a couple of days later, reportedly in a bathroom fall.
Exactly one month after that, it was reported that the two sides agreed to a similar deal with Liriano assuming risk on the first year if his current injury effected his pitching in 2013.
Now just a couple of weeks later it appears as if Liriano won’t be in a Pirates uniform at all.
Neither Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington nor Liriano’s agent have publically commented on the negotiations, but a source close to the situation says that the Pirates are comfortable walking away from Liriano and going with either left-hander Jeff Locke or rookie right-hander Kyle McPherson in the rotation.