Weekend return for Liriano?

July 25, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

It looks like the Minnesota Twins are finally going to call up youngster Francisco Liriano. Liriano has been virtually lights out over his past giving up just one earned run in his last five starts, a stretch of 35 innings. Even so, the team has been balking at the idea of bringing him back. Not because he isn’t ready but they believe they have five very capable starting pitchers in the majors. So who is getting bumped for the return?

First a little background. The Twins were absolutely destroyed this week by the New York Yankees, giving up 25 runs in a 3 game series. This performance has brought management to the conclusion that they need pitching help. Didn’t I say they believed they had capable starters? Yes, I did. This would mean they want help in the bullpen. (Side note, the starters were the one who got shelled that series)

Ok, so the team wants bullpen help. We all know what options are available on the trade market, Will Ohman, Damaso Marte, George Sherrill, etc etc. The Twins thou are looking to avoid a trade and want to fill the bullpen holes from within. Hence the return of Francisco Liriano.

With six quality starters (don’t know if we can still call Livian Hernandez one thou) the team can afford to take one of those young arms and plug them into a late inning role. The three likely candidates would be Nick Blackburn, Glen Perkins and Liriano himself. Blackburn and Perkins both have previous experience there, so one would believe they’d be more likely then Francisco. The problem is both have been very very good pitchers this year Perkins sporting a 4.08 era and Blackburn a 3.83.

The Twins only have one lefty in their bullpen, Craig Breslow, so I’d believe their preference would be to put a lefty back there. If I had to choose between Perkins and Liriano, I’d choose Perkins. Even with a 4.08 era his numbers as a starter are somewhat disturbing. His K/BB ratio is a little less then 2 to 1, with a WHIP over 1.40, not to mention his 11 homers in just 90 innings. As a reliever in 2007, he struck out 20 batters in 28 innings and was much more dominant. And when it comes to Liriano we know what he can do as a starter so why even risk him struggling in a relief role. Much like with Joba Chamberlain, he’s to good of an arm to be wasting in the bullpen. But it is the Twins we’re talking about so who knows they might just choose Liriano.

I know, hearing Liriano mentioned as a bullpen arm is shocking but don’t worry Twins fans it wouldn’t be permanent if this is to happen.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith said, “Whether it’s a possibility or not, we believe his long-term future is as a starter.”

The Twins are in a heated divisional and wild card battle. They’ve got a legitimate chance to pull this off so why not head out to the Metrodome and support this team!

Here is a link to the Star Tribune for more info about this and other Twins notes.

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