Biographical

Portrait of Francisco Liriano

Francisco Liriano PBlue Jays

Blue Jays Player Cards | Blue Jays Team Audit | Blue Jays Depth Chart

2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 35)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date10-26-1983
Height6' 3"
Weight220 lbs
Age40 years, 5 months, 3 days
BatsL
ThrowsL
4.82015
0.72016
-0.42017
-0.12018
0.02019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2005 MIN MLB 6 4 23.7 1 2 0 19 7 33 4 98 7.2 2.7 1.5 12.5 0% .306 1.10 3.34 5.70 72 2.50 53.8 0.8
2006 MIN MLB 28 16 121.0 12 3 1 89 32 144 9 101 6.6 2.4 0.7 10.7 0% .279 1.00 2.59 2.16 50 2.41 49.0 4.4
2008 MIN MLB 14 14 76.0 6 4 0 74 32 67 7 96 8.8 3.8 0.8 7.9 0% .302 1.39 3.89 3.91 98 3.95 84.2 1.3
2009 MIN MLB 29 24 136.7 5 13 0 147 65 122 21 104 9.7 4.3 1.4 8.0 0% .319 1.55 4.90 5.80 119 6.58 141.1 -1.6
2010 MIN MLB 31 31 191.7 14 10 0 184 58 201 9 110 8.6 2.7 0.4 9.4 0% .331 1.26 2.62 3.62 72 3.03 68.4 5.0
2011 MIN MLB 26 24 134.3 9 10 0 125 75 112 14 102 8.4 5.0 0.9 7.5 0% .290 1.49 4.57 5.09 110 4.99 116.0 0.1
2012 CHA 0 12 11 56.7 3 2 0 54 32 58 7 108 8.6 5.1 1.1 9.2 0% .307 1.52 4.45 5.40 106 4.51 103.4 0.4
2012 MIN 0 22 17 100.0 3 10 0 89 55 109 12 104 8.0 5.0 1.1 9.8 0% .296 1.44 4.19 5.31 115 5.41 124.0 -0.3
2013 PIT MLB 26 26 161.0 16 8 0 134 63 163 9 99 7.5 3.5 0.5 9.1 0% .290 1.22 2.89 3.02 86 3.37 80.6 3.1
2014 PIT MLB 29 29 162.3 7 10 0 130 81 175 13 100 7.2 4.5 0.7 9.7 0% .280 1.30 3.55 3.38 93 3.30 81.0 3.1
2015 PIT MLB 31 31 186.7 12 7 0 155 70 205 15 92 7.5 3.4 0.7 9.9 0% .293 1.21 3.21 3.38 85 2.93 68.5 4.8
2016 PIT 0 21 21 113.7 6 11 0 115 69 116 19 95 9.1 5.5 1.5 9.2 53% .308 1.62 5.32 5.46 105 5.07 112.2 0.4
2016 TOR 0 10 8 49.3 2 2 0 42 16 52 7 108 7.7 2.9 1.3 9.5 52% .267 1.18 3.93 2.92 104 4.77 105.5 0.3
2017 HOU 0 20 0 14.3 0 2 0 14 10 11 0 8.8 6.3 0.0 6.9 54% .341 1.67 4.12 4.40 112 6.59 140.4 -0.2
2017 TOR 0 18 18 82.7 6 5 0 91 43 74 11 105 9.9 4.7 1.2 8.1 44% .327 1.62 4.71 5.88 109 5.75 122.4 -0.2
2018 DET MLB 27 26 133.7 5 12 0 127 73 110 19 103 8.6 4.9 1.3 7.4 49% .285 1.50 5.14 4.58 113 5.36 119.8 -0.1
2019 PIT MLB 69 0 70.0 5 3 0 60 35 63 8 98 7.7 4.5 1.0 8.1 52% .271 1.36 4.48 3.47 102 4.53 92.9 0.6
2012 TOT MLB 34 28 156.7 6 12 0 143 87 167 19 105 8.2 5.0 1.1 9.6 0% .000 1.47 4.28 5.34 112 5.09 116.6 0.1
2016 TOT MLB 31 29 163.0 8 13 0 157 85 168 26 99 8.7 4.7 1.4 9.3 53% .296 1.48 4.90 4.69 104 4.98 110.2 0.7
2017 TOT MLB 38 18 97.0 6 7 0 105 53 85 11 89 9.7 4.9 1.0 7.9 45% .329 1.63 4.63 5.66 110 5.88 125.0 -0.4
CareerMLB4193001813.71121141164981618151841008.24.00.99.051%.2991.363.884.15964.2194.521.9

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2001 SLO A- NWN 2 2 9.0 0 0 0 7 1 12 2 7.0 1.0 2.0 12.0 0% -.333 0.89 4.33 5.00 0 0.00 0.0
2002 HAG A SAL 16 16 80.0 3 6 0 61 31 85 6 6.9 3.5 0.7 9.6 0% .264 1.15 3.19 3.49 0 0.00 0.0
2003 SJO A+ CLF 1 1 0.7 0 1 0 5 2 0 0 64.3 25.7 0.0 0.0 0% .714 10.00 12.29 51.43 0 0.00 0.0
2004 FTM A+ FSL 21 21 117.0 6 7 0 118 43 125 6 9.1 3.3 0.5 9.6 0% .350 1.38 2.85 4.00 0 0.00 0.0
2004 NBR AA EAS 7 7 39.7 3 2 0 45 17 49 4 10.2 3.9 0.9 11.1 0% .369 1.56 3.52 3.17 0 0.00 0.0
2005 MIN MLB AL 6 4 23.7 1 2 0 19 7 33 4 98 7.2 2.7 1.5 12.5 0% .306 1.10 3.34 5.70 72 2.50 53.8
2005 NBR AA EAS 13 13 76.7 3 5 0 70 26 92 6 59 8.2 3.1 0.7 10.8 0% -.508 1.25 2.86 3.64 78 4.48 88.3
2005 ROC AAA INT 14 14 91.0 9 2 0 56 24 112 4 100 5.5 2.4 0.4 11.1 0% -.371 0.88 2.10 1.78 59 2.71 53.3
2006 MIN MLB AL 28 16 121.0 12 3 1 89 32 144 9 101 6.6 2.4 0.7 10.7 0% .279 1.00 2.59 2.16 50 2.41 49.0
2006 DOM wor CS 2 0 5.2 0 0 0 3 3 8 0 5.2 5.2 0.0 13.8 0% .250 1.15 0.71 1.73 0 0.00 0.0
2008 MIN MLB AL 14 14 76.0 6 4 0 74 32 67 7 96 8.8 3.8 0.8 7.9 0% .302 1.39 3.89 3.91 98 3.95 84.2
2008 FTM A+ FSL 1 1 5.3 0 1 0 6 2 8 0 90 10.2 3.4 0.0 13.6 0% .429 1.51 1.32 6.79 70 6.20 126.9
2008 ROC AAA INT 19 19 118.0 10 2 0 102 31 113 8 96 7.8 2.4 0.6 8.6 0% .289 1.13 3.15 3.28 82 3.60 73.7
2009 MIN MLB AL 29 24 136.7 5 13 0 147 65 122 21 104 9.7 4.3 1.4 8.0 0% .319 1.55 4.90 5.80 119 6.58 141.1
2010 MIN MLB AL 31 31 191.7 14 10 0 184 58 201 9 110 8.6 2.7 0.4 9.4 0% .331 1.26 2.62 3.62 72 3.03 68.4
2011 MIN MLB AL 26 24 134.3 9 10 0 125 75 112 14 102 8.4 5.0 0.9 7.5 0% .290 1.49 4.57 5.09 110 4.99 116.0
2012 CHA MLB AL 12 11 56.7 3 2 0 54 32 58 7 108 8.6 5.1 1.1 9.2 0% .307 1.52 4.45 5.40 106 4.51 103.4
2012 MIN MLB AL 22 17 100.0 3 10 0 89 55 109 12 104 8.0 5.0 1.1 9.8 0% .296 1.44 4.19 5.31 115 5.41 124.0
2013 PIT MLB NL 26 26 161.0 16 8 0 134 63 163 9 99 7.5 3.5 0.5 9.1 0% .290 1.22 2.89 3.02 86 3.37 80.6
2013 BRD A+ FSL 1 1 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 88 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.0 0% .000 0.00 -0.76 0.00 40 1.61 35.0
2013 ALT AA EAS 1 1 2.7 0 1 0 4 3 4 1 95 13.5 10.1 3.4 13.5 0% .429 2.63 8.56 13.50 101 5.42 117.8
2013 IND AAA INT 3 3 16.0 2 0 0 15 1 23 1 100 8.4 0.6 0.6 12.9 0% .350 1.00 1.51 3.38 47 2.39 52.0
2014 PIT MLB NL 29 29 162.3 7 10 0 130 81 175 13 100 7.2 4.5 0.7 9.7 0% .280 1.30 3.55 3.38 93 3.30 81.0
2014 IND AAA INT 1 1 6.0 0 0 0 3 0 8 0 104 4.5 0.0 0.0 12.0 0% .250 0.50 0.68 0.00 51 2.43 51.5
2015 PIT MLB NL 31 31 186.7 12 7 0 155 70 205 15 92 7.5 3.4 0.7 9.9 0% .293 1.21 3.21 3.38 85 2.93 68.5
2016 PIT MLB NL 21 21 113.7 6 11 0 115 69 116 19 95 9.1 5.5 1.5 9.2 53% .308 1.62 5.32 5.46 105 5.07 112.2
2016 TOR MLB AL 10 8 49.3 2 2 0 42 16 52 7 108 7.7 2.9 1.3 9.5 52% .267 1.18 3.93 2.92 104 4.77 105.5
2017 HOU MLB AL 20 0 14.3 0 2 0 14 10 11 0 8.8 6.3 0.0 6.9 54% .341 1.67 4.12 4.40 112 6.59 140.4
2017 TOR MLB AL 18 18 82.7 6 5 0 91 43 74 11 105 9.9 4.7 1.2 8.1 44% .327 1.62 4.71 5.88 109 5.75 122.4
2017 BUF AAA INT 1 1 4.3 0 0 0 3 2 7 0 112 6.2 4.2 0.0 14.5 50% .300 1.15 1.49 4.15 79 3.14 66.9
2018 DET MLB AL 27 26 133.7 5 12 0 127 73 110 19 103 8.6 4.9 1.3 7.4 49% .285 1.50 5.14 4.58 113 5.36 119.8
2018 TOL AAA INT 1 1 4.0 0 1 0 11 0 7 2 90 24.8 0.0 4.5 15.8 47% .692 2.75 7.83 18.00 86 8.00 169.2
2019 PIT MLB NL 69 0 70.0 5 3 0 60 35 63 8 98 7.7 4.5 1.0 8.1 52% .271 1.36 4.48 3.47 102 4.53 92.9

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2008 1183 0.4920 0.4539 0.7430 0.6357 0.2779 0.8541 0.4970 0.2570
2009 2216 0.4792 0.4495 0.7339 0.6215 0.2912 0.8242 0.5565 0.2661
2010 3013 0.4836 0.4587 0.7164 0.5903 0.3355 0.8267 0.5345 0.2836
2011 2273 0.4351 0.4193 0.7125 0.6218 0.2632 0.8146 0.5266 0.2875
2012 2699 0.4157 0.4353 0.6834 0.5954 0.3215 0.8278 0.4931 0.3166
2013 2493 0.3959 0.4469 0.6894 0.5816 0.3586 0.8641 0.5037 0.3106
2014 2665 0.3970 0.4278 0.6632 0.5643 0.3379 0.8224 0.4880 0.3368
2015 2999 0.3925 0.4365 0.6616 0.6015 0.3299 0.8418 0.4493 0.3384
2016 2770 0.4130 0.4220 0.7134 0.5883 0.3050 0.8767 0.4919 0.2866
2017 1745 0.4476 0.4034 0.7514 0.5800 0.2604 0.8389 0.5936 0.2486
2018 2261 0.4025 0.4140 0.7457 0.5912 0.2946 0.8550 0.5980 0.2543
2019 1132 0.4443 0.4682 0.6943 0.6561 0.3180 0.8000 0.5200 0.3057
Career274490.42890.43520.70520.59770.31190.83850.51740.2948

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-06-11 2014-07-13 15-DL 32 30 Left Abdomen Strain Oblique -
2013-03-22 2013-05-11 15-DL 50 35 Left Arm Recovery From Fracture Humerus - -
2013-02-10 2013-03-22 Camp 40 0 Left Upper Arm Recovery From Fracture Humerus - -
2012-12-20 2012-12-20 FA 0 0 Left Upper Arm Fracture Humerus In Bathroom Fall - Date Is Estimated - -
2012-08-06 2012-08-11 DTD 5 4 Right Thigh Contusion Quadriceps - -
2011-08-26 2011-09-16 15-DL 21 18 Left Shoulder Strain - -
2011-05-23 2011-06-07 15-DL 15 14 Left Shoulder Inflammation -
2011-05-11 2011-05-17 DTD 6 5 Left Shoulder Soreness -
2011-05-10 2011-05-10 DTD 0 0 - General Medical Illness -
2011-05-05 2011-05-05 DTD 0 0 General Medical Illness Flu -
2011-02-14 2011-02-21 Camp 7 0 Left Shoulder Inflammation Did Not Start Throwing Until Recently -
2010-08-19 2010-08-26 DTD 7 7 Arm Fatigue -
2009-08-18 2009-09-09 15-DL 22 20 Left Arm Fatigue Received Cortisone In Back of Elbow -
2009-07-25 2009-08-05 DTD 11 9 Left Forearm Swelling -
2007-03-24 2007-10-01 60-DL 191 162 Left Elbow Recovery From Surgery Tommy John Surgery 2006-11-06
2006-09-14 2006-10-07 DTD 23 17 Left Elbow Surgery Tommy John Surgery 2006-11-06
2006-08-08 2006-09-11 15-DL 34 31 Left Elbow Sprain Ulnar Collateral Ligament -
2006-07-29 2006-08-07 DTD 9 9 Left Elbow Soreness -
2006-06-08 2006-06-11 DTD 3 3 General Medical Illness Food Poisoning -
2006-05-09 2006-05-09 DTD 0 0 Right Face Surgery Root Canal 2006-05-09
2003-06-18 2003-09-15 Minors 89 0 Left Shoulder Strain Latissimus Dorsi -
2003-04-06 2003-05-25 Minors 49 0 Left Shoulder Strain Latissimus Dorsi - -
2002-07-24 2002-09-19 Minors 57 0 Left Shoulder Strain - -
2002-05-22 2002-05-30 Minors 8 0 Left Fingers Blister - -
2002-04-25 2002-05-09 Minors 14 0 Left Elbow Strain - -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2020 PHI $
2019 PIT $1,800,000
2018 DET $4,000,000
2017 TOR $13,666,666
2016 PIT $13,666,667
2015 PIT $11,666,667
2014 PIT $6,000,000
2013 PIT $1,000,000
2012 MIN $5,500,000
2011 MIN $4,300,000
2010 MIN $1,600,000
2009 MIN $430,000
2007 MIN $410,000
2006 MIN $327,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
13 yrPrevious$64,367,000
13 yrTotal$64,367,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
13 y 104 dWasserman Media1 year (2021)

Details
  • 1 year (2021). Signed by Toronto as a free agent 2/2/21 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1.5M in majors. Performance bonuses. Released by Toronto 3/29/21. Retired 1/17/22.
  • 1 year (2020). Signed by Philadelphia as a free agent 1/22/20 (minor-league contract). Released by Philadelphia 7/18/20.
  • 1 year (2019). Signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent 2/5/19 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1.8M in majors. May earn additional $1.5M in performance bonuses. May opt out of contract if not on 40-man roster by 3/20/19, 25-man roster by 6/1/19. Contract selected by Pittsburgh 3/23/19.
  • 1 year/$4M (2018). Signed by Detroit as a free agent 2/23/18. May earn additional $1M in performance bonuses based on starts.
  • 3 years/$39M (2015-17). Re-signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent 12/15/14. $2M signing bonus. 15:$11M, 16:$13M, 17:$13M. Award bonuses: $0.35M for Cy Young ($0.15M for second place in vote, $0.1M for third). $50,000 for All-Star. $25,000 each for LDS, LCS, WS MVP. Acquired by Toronto in trade from Pittsburgh 8/1/16 with $17,404,372 remaining on contract. Acquired by Houston in trade from Toronto 7/31/17 with $4.4M remaining in 2017 salary.
  • 1 year/$1M (2013), plus 2014 club option. Signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent 2/8/13. 13:$1M, 14:$8M club option. May earn additional $3.75M in 2013 roster bonuses based on days not spent on disabled list with injury to humerus bone in non-throwing right arm. 2014 option guaranteed at $8M with 150 days not spent on disabled list in 2013 with the right arm injury, $6M with 120 days not spent on disabled list with the right arm injury, $5M with 90 days not spent on disabled list with the right arm injury. (If option vests at $5M or $6M, Liriano may earn 2014 performance bonuses up to $8M based on games started.) 2014 option vested at $6M.
  • 1 year/$5.5M (2012). Re-signed by Minnesota 1/17/12 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by Chicago White Sox in trade from Minnesota 7/29/12.
  • 1 year/$4.3M (2011). Re-signed by Minnesota 2/5/11 (avoided arbitration, $5M-$3.6M).
  • 1 year/$1.6M (2010). Re-signed by Minnesota 1/19/10 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$0.43M (2009). Re-signed by Minnesota 3/8/09 (split contract, $186,900 in minors).
  • 1 year (2008). Re-signed by Minnesota 2/27/08. Optioned to A 3/28/08. Recalled 4/12/08. Optioned to Triple-A 4/25/08. Recalled 8/1/08.
  • 1 year/$0.41M (2007). Re-signed by Minnesota 3/07.
  • 1 year/$0.327M (2006). Re-signed 3/06.
  • 1 year (2005). Contract purchased by Minnesota 11/04. Re-signed 3/05. Optioned to Double-A 3/05. Recalled 9/05.
  • Acquired by Minnesota in trade from San Francisco 11/03.
  • Signed 2000 as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 0 0 0 0 0 11.1 9 5 10 1 .260 1.22 3.28 3.6 0.0 0.0
80o 0 0 0 0 0 7.3 6 3 7 1 .271 1.29 3.61 3.96 0.0 0.0
70o 0 0 0 0 0 4.6 4 2 4 0 .279 1.35 3.86 4.22 0.0 0.0
60o 0 0 0 0 0 2.4 2 1 2 0 .286 1.39 4.06 4.45 0.0 0.0
50o 0 0 0 0 0 0.3 0 0 0 0 .292 1.44 4.26 4.67 -0.1 0.0
Weighted Mean?????0.0?00?.0000.000.00?0.00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2017-10-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Counterfactual: What happens if the Astros didn't want to part with any prospects and didn't trade for Verlander?
(nschaef from NYC)
I mean they almost certainly still make the playoffs. It's just a matter of giving starts to [peers over roster] errr, Collin McHugh instead of Justin Verlander. You'd also have a clubhouse that's still justifiably ticked off about only trading for what's left of Francisco Liriano. (Nicolas Stellini)
2017-06-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Seriously, the eff is wrong with Gausman
(MonkeyEpoxy from 'Rillo)
Thanks for asking this one in advance, MonkeyEpoxy. And for everyone else...my apologies for this overlong response. I hadn't realized how bad things were, tbh. Hokey smokes, a .373 BABIP, 7.44 DRA. That's, um, bad. Let's check the usual suspects, per Brooks Baseball. Last year: 63% 95.9 mph fourseamer, 19% 85 mph splitter, 13% 81 mph curve. This year: 67% 95.4 mph fourseamer, 17% 84.3 mph slider, 15% 86 mph splitter. So usage-wise, he's swapped the curve for the slider. His curve got a 42% swing rate, 10% foul rate, and 13% whiff rate last year and got crushed (.551 SLG, .202 ISO) on contact. The slider's gotten a 37% swing rate, 12% foul rate, 8% whiff rate and has gotten annihilated (.692 SLG, .282 ISO) on contact. So that's not a great trade! His fastball and split have been hit harder, too. Biggest issue from what I can tell: Batters are laying off his stuff outside the zone, resulting in way too many walks and forcing him to pitch in the zone, where he's getting hit. Last year batters swung at 34% of his pitches outside the zone, making contact 59% of the time. This year they're swinging only 29% of the time, making contact 69%. Looking at his heat maps, the issue seems to be that he's not getting batters to chase low pitches in general, and right-handed batters aren't chasing pitches away. It doesn't appear to be a framing thing, so it could be either command or movement. The more ominous possibility is something similar to Francisco Liriano last year-a memo went around on him in spring saying DON'T CHASE and his whole approach has been blown up. Nothing screams easy fix. I mean, his slider doesn't seem to be working, and it's a ball half the time he throws it, but the curve he junked is scarcely better (10 of 21 have been balls). So if you can't hit the zone with your breaking pitches, hitters can sit back and wait for that fastball in the zone. Not a pretty picture. (Rob Mains)
2016-12-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Does Francisco Liriano have anything left in the tank to get back to 2014/2015 form?
(Brandi from Oklahoma)
He was phenomenal to close last season. Why can't he just keep that form? I think that would be possible, but the "Old Liriano" is gone, whoever that was. (Kenny Ducey)
2014-04-22 20:00:00 (link to chat)Edinson Volquez--this year's version of Francisco Liriano for the Pirates?
(Steve from Indy)
Do you think they already gave him Jeff Locke's locker, or are they waiting for him to be an undeserved all-star first? (Scoresheet Chat with Ben, Jared, and Ian)
2014-03-14 09:00:00 (link to chat)I have a few pitchers on my roster in a Dynasty League who I have idetified as good "sells" - Francisco Liriano, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Michael Wacha. Do you agree and can you think of other specific pitchers you would be selling? Conversely, who are some pitchers you would be trying to buy?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
It all depends on the context of where you're at in your success cycle. Do you have a shot at winning this year? If you do, while Taijuan Walker is likely a better long term play than Liriano, you're better off with Liriano - at least for now. Some of this also depends on how easily you can fill in with replacements. I'd only be selling pitchers like Liriano if I were in a rebuilding mode...or if I could get a pitcher like Walker on the cheap.

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with this approach. I think I would need more information about your team/situation before I could comment on whether or not it's a good or bad idea to sell these guys. I'm not sure, though, why you'd sell Wacha. He might struggle this year (and people might be overpaying for him for 2014) but I like the long term outlook. (Mike Gianella)
2013-09-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Francisco Liriano worth keeping at $9 in an 8-team NL-only league?
(GBSimons from (IN))
Yeah, I'd think I'd roll with that. (Paul Sporer)
2013-07-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)I can't remember where I read it (which means I might be totally off), but is Francisco Liriano using his slider more this year? Does that correspond to a higher injury risk?
(captnamerca from dunedin, FL)
It's true, he's using it a lot. http://www.brooksbaseball.net/outcome.php?player=434538&time=month&startDate=03/30/2007&endDate=07/23/2013&s_type=2
I think conventional wisdom is more sliders is more risk, but I can't say if Liriano is over his limit . (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-07-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Who are some good SPs who you think should be doing better/worse to target/dump in a trade?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
I think that the big trio of Hamels, Cain, and Price are good targets - Hamels has righted his delivery, Cain is just a minor tweak away from fixing his issues, and Price has looked better in his return. But those are easy answers. Parker has really turned it around from his early-season struggles, as well.

I would beware of Corbin and Iwakuma - I really like both pitchers, but they are playing a bit over their heads, and some correction is likely due. Travis Wood is not this good, and is due for a big correction. I am a big fan of Shelby Miller, but his 2-pitch repertoire could get exposed as teams get multiple looks - he is dead in the water on days when he forgets to pack his fastball command.

Oh, and never trust Francisco Liriano. His slider is taxing and he throws it 36% of the time. (Doug Thorburn)
2013-05-29 18:30:00 (link to chat)Who would you rather have the rest of the year? Liriano or Miley?
(Steve. from Denver, Colorado)
Hi Steve.

At the moment, I'd rather have Francisco Liriano. Wade Miley has struggled with his control of late and is the kind of pitcher who doesn't have a lot of margin for error with the walks in order to be a productive arm. The deeper the format, the tougher this decision is. In a mixed league, I think Liriano is a no-brainer. He has been pitching great and the worst case scenario is an injury. If that happens, you pick someone else up. In NL-only where getting 170+ innings from your starting pitchers is a priority because of the paucity of SP replacements in the free agent pool, it's more of a toss up due to the risk that Liriano won't get there. Assuming a standard mixed format, though, give me Liriano. (Mike Gianella)
2013-04-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)Is Felix Dumbrount worth keeping on a 12 team mixed roster? He's pitching today and don't feel confident in starting him. Any high upside pitchers to target for end of the rotation SP spots?
(RC from PDX)
Was that a Freudian slip? He's not really worth owning in a 12 teamer for now. You can find better pitching on the wire. How about someone like Chris Tillman or Ervin Santana? Or Francisco Liriano?? Someone help me. Seriously. (Bret Sayre)
2013-04-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Francisco Liriano headed out on rehab and could be back by May 1. Can he have an AJ Burnett-like resurgence in that park/division?
(Haircut from Barber Shop)
Hey haircut, I got one of you last month for the first time in 2 1/2 years. It was awesome. Anyway, Liriano's recent track record is not good. Anything is possible, but I wouldn't count on it. (Geoff Young)
2013-02-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Ben, Francisco Liriano - Jonathan Sanchez - Jose Tabata; which Bucco will have the best comeback season of the 3? thanks, Frank
(Frank from Singapore)
Tabata, I suppose. Probably best to bet on the young guy, where comebacks are concerned. (Ben Lindbergh)
2012-12-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)Brewers really need to sign a starter this winter. If they can't afford a guy like Dempster or even a Brandon McCarthy, how do you think Francisco Liriano stacks up to the rest of the buy-low guys? Any idea what his contract might look like?
(SecondHandStore from Sheboygan, WI)
Liriano is an intriguing possibility on a short-term deal, SecondHandStore, but I'm growing increasingly skeptical of his ability to regain his 2010 form. I could see him attempting to rebuild value on a one-year contract for somewhere in the $5-8 million range, and the Brewers - along with the Royals and Twins - are possible destinations. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-05-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)The Grand Rapids Grasshoppers ask that you peek into the future to tell us what will become of Michael Pineda. Should we just release him now, avoiding the frustration of another injury-riddled pitcher? Also, what would you do with a pitching coach who has worked with the likes of Pineda, Joakim Soria, Rich Harden, Joey Devine, Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum, Adam Miller, et al? lol
(GR Grasshoppers from Michigan)
Always good to hear from my favorite ex-36er. Being a Cubs fan, I'd send that pitching coach to St. Louis, of course.

You of all people I don't need to tell about the inherent riskiness of pitchers, but as I said before I think Pineda will come back strong. If I were in, say, a Strat league, I'd hang onto him. Unless you'd rather trade him for, oh, I dunno, Matt Capps. (Ken Funck)
2011-03-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who's your pick for "first all-star Yankees fan demand a small-market team trade to them for a pile of sweatsocks and an Orange Julius"?
(Ratcatcher from Narnia)
Are we not counting Francisco Liriano? Because that already happened. Beyond that, "Dave Robertson for Ubaldo Jimenez. Who says no?!?!" (Emma Span)
2011-03-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)So where do you see the Joba saga ending? The rotation? The bullpen? St. Louis?
(Ratcatcher from Erewhon)
The Yankees seem set on keeping him in the 'pen, so the best case scenario for them is he gets back to being a fairly dominant late-inning guy. I think best-case scenario for HIM is the trade him (although not, I expect, straight-up for Francisco Liriano) to a team that stretches him out to start again - but every season that goes by, that gets less likely. So yes, sadly, I believe Chamberlain is now The World's Most Famous Middle Reliever. (Emma Span)
2010-09-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Please fill in the blank. This is the best NL Rookie Class since ________ (blank). Thanks! Bobby
(Bobby from New York)
Are we going strictly by league? Because the 2007 class had Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Dustin Pedroia and Josh Hamilton among hitters, Tim Lincecum and Joakim Soria among pitchers. 2006 had Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Andre Ethier, Prince Fielder, Ian Kinsler, Francisco Liriano, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Josh Johnson, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon (who used to not suck), Jonathan Broxton (ditto)...

There's a lot to be excited about with this year's rookie class (Posey, Heyward, Santana, Stanton) but I'm in no rush to appoint them the best class of the past five years until I see much more. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-08-17 14:45:00 (link to chat)Francisco Liriano for Cy Young! (pay no attention to that Cliff Lee behind the curtain there)
(Donald from Target Field)
If Cliff Lee starts walking everyone, and CC Sabathia stops winning, sure, Liriano has had a really, really great season. I'm not much for arguing who SHOULD win stuff anymore, so I've mostly refrained from all the Liriano-for-Cy discussions, but I will say I think Lee is more deserving right now. But, if Lee finishes the year 12-8, he isn't going to win the award. Then again, between Liriano and Sabathia I think we could see a repeat of Johan v. Colon, US 2006. (Eric Seidman)
2010-03-15 16:00:00 (link to chat)Very happy to hear the pick up on the Star Trek reference. What are your thoughts on the idea of Francisco Liriano taking over the closer's role for the Twins if Joe Nathan can't come back?
(Tim from Tampa)
My wife and I have gone through the entirety of Voyager and DS9 together. We're on season 5 of TNG. Nerd pride!

Liriano was a reliever for a while (and a good one), then they moved him to the rotation. But he also had a big ouchie. I'd like to see what he can do before I install him as a closer/high leverage guy. You can't just assume that he'll revert to his old form in the pen. (Russell A. Carleton)
2010-03-18 14:00:00 (link to chat)I would think that Rauch would close for the Twins. What are you hearing?
(paulbellows from Calgary)
There continue to be rumblings that Francisco Liriano is going to be the closer. The Twins are playing it close to the vest and also waiting until Nathan throws on Friday with the hope (against hope, I'm afraid) that he might be able to pitch through his injury. (John Perrotto)
2010-02-18 14:00:00 (link to chat)Any faith that Francisco Liriano returns to his 2006 form - or at least close to it - this year?
(Jimmy from NJ)
I think one HAS to at least be somewhat optimistic based on what he did in the winter leagues. It's February though, and we don't know. It's a much better chance than if he stunk it up in the Dominican, no? (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-09-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Marc, what do you do with talented but frustrating young players in Dynasty leagues (the only penalty to keeping them is opportunity cost)? I'm not talking about guys you depend on, but more guys that you're hoping figure it out while they eat up depth space on your bench/reserve. Someone like Chris B. Young, Jeremy Hermida, Alex Gordon, Francisco Liriano... the flashes of brilliance are there but it sure is hard to be patient.
(Aaron from YYZ)
I don't have a general rule, but if I think someone has a lot of potential, I would waste the bench spot on them in the hopes they turn things around. My exception to this would be if it was someone no one else thought much of--my hope would be that since I gave up on him, no one else would be willing to take the risk. Talk up your league a bit to get a sense of those sorts of things so you can take advantage when the time comes. (Marc Normandin)
2009-08-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Marc, what are your long-term thoughts for Ervin Santana and Francisco Liriano fantasy-wise? They're young and have had past success but they're just maddening this season.
(Aaron from YYZ)
I wasn't a big fan of Liriano prior to this year. I thought his short stint in 2008 would cause people to overrate him (they did) and that his velocity was too far down and his control too spotty to rely on him for much (which happened). I know I don't get them all right--I feel like I drafted all the guys I got wrong too--but I just don't like the lower velocity Liriano. He's going to need to show he's a smarter pitcher than this to get by before I can place more faith in him.

As for Santana, he's gone right back to giving up lots of homers and dealing out walks once again. I have hope that he can return to last year's form still, but his velocity is also way down. Makes me wonder how he's feeling. (Marc Normandin)
2008-12-23 14:00:00 (link to chat)Would you rather have the next 7 years of Jon Lester or Zack Greinke? How about Clay Kershaw or Francisco Liriano?
(doog7642 from Blaine, MN)
Lester and Liriano, but that's as much about who they're with as it is a comment strictly about their talent. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-10-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Dear Mr. Carroll: Is it OK if I sneak in an early keeper question involving four pitchers with various kinds of (health) concerns? I can keep two out of these four aces: John Lackey, Francisco Liriano, Ervin Santana and Ben Sheets. Who would you keep and why?
(bo9anderson from Amterdam, the Netherlands)
I'd keep Lackey (pitching for a contract, few health problems) and Liriano (healthy, good team). Liriano's not a clear choice over Santana. Sheets -- arm trouble plus I dont know where he'll play. Him signing in Texas or Houston would knock him way down. (Will Carroll)
2008-10-09 14:00:00 (link to chat)If the Twins held onto Santana or took the Red Sox package (Lester/Crisp/Lowrie) they would be in the playoffs. Will the package they got from the Mets ultimately be viewed as a good move or will they regret the way they handled the situation?
(Bill from CT)
Do we really know that a Lester/Crisp/Lowrie package was actually on the table, or was that a bug planted in the public ear by somebody from the Boston FO/Media yenta hotline? I seem to recall more of the talk focusing on Ellsbury at the front end of the package, but I have long since forgotten most of what transpired there.

It will take years to properly evaluate the deal that actually was made. Will Gomez develop into a guy worthy of a leadoff spot? Will Deolis Guerra become a big league pitcher of worth? Will Mulvey and Humber become useful rotation parts? All of these things take time to sort out.

Even with this deal, the Twins would have been in the playoffs had they punted on Livan Hernandez and brought up Francisco Liriano a couple weeks earlier. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-09-09 13:30:00 (link to chat)What do you expect from Francisco Liriano going into 2009 and beyond?
(Trenchtown2 from OB Class)
Him to be a #2 starter with excellent rates and some need to be managed carefully. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-07-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)I've been dominating the International League for the past month and a half. When do I get called up? It's not really about the money, is it? And don't tell me I'll be in the bullpen while Livan stays in the rotation.
(Francisco Liriano from Rochester, NY)
Pick one: 1) The Twins are a savvy organization well aware of what various levels of service time mean financially and in terms of retaining a player. 2) The Twins are too stupid to notice that Francisco Liriano is better than Livan Hernandez by an order of magnitude.

That's really the choice here. I know which one I go with. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-07-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Rotoworld is reporting that Francisco Liriano's agent may pursue a grievance with the Twins, claiming that they are keeping him in triple-A in order to limit his service time. What do you think?
(Peter from Beyond the Boxscore)
His fastball still isn't back to where it should be, and I think the Twins are waiting to see if it comes back any further, and that's probably all they will have to say if a grievance comes up. (Marc Normandin)
2008-06-27 14:00:00 (link to chat)Is Jason Bay to the Twins for Francisco Liriano a legitimate trade?
(DSchmitz3 from Madison)
No, I don't think so. That's a lot to give up for a 1 1/2 year rental of a veteran with an especially ghastly recent season under his belt. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-05-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is it still possible that Pat Neshek may need some sort of surgery before his rehab is complete?
(mnsportsguy1 from Shakopee, MN)
Sadly, yes. This is a similar situation to Francisco Liriano. Neshek's a good dude and a Facebook friend. I'm rooting for him, but not hopeful. That motion was fun and effective, but untenable. It brings up the point of effectiveness versus efficiency, which is a very tough one. For a pitcher like Neshek, that funk got him to the bigs against the odds. For someone like Peavy or Felix Hernandez, it's VERY hard to change them given results. Of course, injuries have also been a part of their results. (Will Carroll)
2008-04-29 14:00:00 (link to chat)other pitchers availible are, Dontrelle Willis,Ted Lilly,Francisco Liriano, Tom Gorzelanny, Ubaldo Jiménez, Jarrod Washburn, Jeff Suppan, Jamie Moyer, Shawn Chacón, Shawn Hill, Kevin Millwood, Andy Sonnanstine, See anything in there you like better the Hughes?
(dogtothedog from Toronto)
Sonnanstine's intriguing. Lilly's using the wrong pitches, from what I can tell. I like Gorzelanny, but I'd like him more if he'd stop hurting my own team's numbers. I'd take Sonnanstine for now, honestly. Phil Hughes is all kinds of messed up at the moment.

Sonnanstine's using a cutter more this year, probably to offset the number of fastballs in the zone hitters knew were coming in '07. It hasn't helped his strikeout rate, but he's lowered the number of base hits he's allowing. That's a tough crowd of FA, I'll give you that... (Marc Normandin)
2008-04-25 15:00:00 (link to chat)How long do we have to wait to see the fruits of the Santana trade? I mean, why is Hernandez pitching when Mulvey is dominating AAA?
(Jack from Minnesota)
Well, Hernandez is pitching about as well as a guy with a 3.0 K/9 can pitch right now, and he's getting big help from his defense. He's not the problem; the Twins got him to eat innings, and eat innings he shall, even if his numbers take a turn for the worse. It's Francisco Liriano who shouldn't be in the rotation right now - the guy has been getting raked over the coals, and there's no sense in expecting him to straighten it out at a major league level. Hopefully, the Twins will figure out very soon that they shouldn't be playing Russian Roulette with an arm of that caliber, and send him back to Triple A to get it together, thus creating an opening for Mulvey.

In the meantime, enjoy Livan while he's on a roll. The guy is a ton of fun to watch when he's even remotely right, and it's not like he'll be even this good for much longer. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-04-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)What do you expect out of Francisco Liriano for the rest of the season? Although he wasn't great yesterday, I heard his fastball was around 92 in 29 degree windchill weather.
(SnakeDoctor18 from Washington DC)
He wasn't letting the ball go. Someone did a video analysis of the starts, using Carlos Gomez's piece as a basis (I apologize, forget who and where) and it showed he'd slowed down his delivery some. It reminds me of the first month of Johan Santana's 2004 after he'd had elbow chips removed. (Will Carroll)
2008-02-06 14:00:00 (link to chat)G'Day! I, the greatest still-living vocalist of Australian Rock, wants to know what to expect out of Francisco Liriano and Chris Carpenter this year. If only that nice boy from INXS were still alive.
(Angry Anderson from Perth, AU)
Lots of questions about Liriano, so I'll try to address that here...

Carpenter won't be back prior to the All-Star Break. I'd pencil him in for 10-15 starts, with increasing responsibility in each one, and a season that's nothing particularly special.

Liriano? All the health reports I've heard are positive, but still also hear things about his mechanics that worry me. I don't think I'm sufficiently expert to evaluate the risk that his delivery poses. If he's healthy, I expect him to be devastating, perhaps after a few bumpy starts as he gets his sea legs back. (Gary Huckabay)
2008-01-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)Does Franklin Morales have F. Liriano upside?
(cjbuet from madison, wi)
Does Francisco Liriano still have Francisco Liriano upside? No, I'm not sure Morales will have the season Liriano did before injury -- his slider isn't as good as Liriano's was. But then again, I'm not so sure Liriano will ever have that season again. (Bryan Smith)
2008-02-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)What is the status of Joel Zumaya's recover and rehab? What kind of conditioning has he been doing, what if any pitching?
(Brian H from Toledo)
Zumaya might end up the Francisco Liriano of this year, with there being a question asked every chat.

The answer is we don't know. He's not throwing and until he does, there's just no telling. He is conditioning and there was a report that he'd dropped some weight and was very motivated to prove people wrong. (Will Carroll)


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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2023, Francisco Liriano threw 27,946 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2008 and 2021, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2021, he relied primarily on his Sinker (92mph) and Change (86mph), also mixing in a Slider (85mph).