Jul
15
2012

Could Liriano Be A Solution?

An article by Michael Barrett

A few months back when the Mets looked like they could compete this season, I began to think of where they could address the inevitable problems in the rotation. Aside from the fantasy of making a move for a pitcher like Cole Hamels, I began to think that the Twins Francisco Liriano would make sense for the Mets and now with Gee possibly done for the year, it is time to explore a trade for the Minnesota south paw.

Liriano has never quite lived up to the expectations that the league and Twins set for him when he broke out in 2006 with a 12-3 record and 144 strikeouts. Injuries have been to blame for that but he has shown flashes of brilliance including a no-hitter last season and a 15 strikeout game last night. Liriano currently sports a 3-8 record for a terrible Minnesota Twins team, and a change of scenery could do well for the man.

For what it’s worth, Liriano has killed lefties this year, keeping them well below the Mendoza line in that category. That could be particularly helpful with Philadelphia’s left handed bats finally healthy, as well as the power bats for the Braves landing in the left handed batters box as well. Also, Liriano thrived in Minnesota when he pitched with Johan Santana. It is easy to imagine that Johan could impose even more knowledge on the 28 year old if they were to be reunited. Perhaps the most intriguing part of Liriano is the fact he can become a free agent after this season, so if he were to come to the Mets and fail, he could be rid of after this season.

The question is, what would the Twins want for him? It is obvious that the Mets would not part with any of their top prospects for Liriano, but perhaps it wouldn’t take something of that magnitude. The frugal Twins would probably be glad to be rid of Liriano’s 5 million plus salary and not have to go through arbitration with him after this season, so a few mid-level prospects could get the job done or a least get the trade talks going.

If it can be done, I am all for it. I have always liked him and though he is high risk, he could ultimately pay off two fold if he at least stabilizes the back of the rotation, and keeps the Mets from making the mistake of calling up Matt Harvey to soon. So if that means parting with a AA prospect or two, I am on board.

About the Author: Michael Barrett

A lifelong Met fan literally since birth, most of the greatest moments of my life in sports have come from the Mets. I currently work for MLB.com these days, which has only furthered my passion for the guys in orange and blue.

11 Comments + Add Comment

D.C> July 15, 2012 at 9:14 am

The Mets needs more bullpen help than rotation help at this point.
- theonlymaskman July 15, 2012 at 9:24 am
  
  Do we even know what the rotation is at this point? Dickey, Santana, Niese, Young, Batista. Can we even call that a rotation? It looks to me like there is a need for help with that.
oleosmirf July 15, 2012 at 9:30 am

Unless they address the bullpen, there is no point in making any other moves. One of Ramirez and Batista need to be sent packing today and replaced by K-Rod or someone of that nature.
Stick July 15, 2012 at 10:43 am

this is a name I don’t recall hearing before. but certainly intriguing. I honestly have no idea what the talent return would have to be, but assume there would be quite a few teams in on him.

And to the pen comments, they certainly should be making more moves (hard to see batista or even ramirez surviving unless ramon really picks things up very soon). So that will help. But, if they can beef the rotation back up, that is a huge impact to the pen.

the more innings they pitch (and fewer runs allowed) by the SP minimizes usage of the pen, and keeps you away from the weaker arms.
- jessep July 15, 2012 at 11:04 am
  
  Come on stick! I mentioned him a week ago in my harvey post haha
Met Maniac July 15, 2012 at 11:13 am

I would be all over this if I were running the show, but until I see this front office pull off one trade for any player aside from scrubs like Chin-Lung-Hu, Andres Torres or Ramon Ramirez, I don’t see it. Moneyball is based on being in permanent sell-mode not buyers mode. And if you’re waiting for him to make a trade for a significant star caliber player, it will never happen. That’s not how he rolls. Even marginals players like Liriano who have a high upside is too costly for the tall. bald man.
Metsie July 15, 2012 at 1:49 pm

We need Middle relief…And more than just one!
Squidoo July 15, 2012 at 1:53 pm

This team needs a lot of things besides just a bullpen transfusion. We are about to start rushing out top prospects all because of a failure to ad some pitching depth in the last two years. Yes, bring in Liriano and one or two more like him. Otherwise you might as well give Wheeler and Harvey the Parnell/Pelfrey treatment and demolish any chances of them becoming front-line starters.
- Metsie July 15, 2012 at 2:04 pm
  
  First off I don’t buy that they are goingto rus either Harvey or Wheeler at all.
  They are going to SEE him…Well excuse me but why would they have to do that? Wouldn’t a videotape of his last 4 starts be enough?
  
  I think this “IN PERSON” eval is just another delaying tactic to waste time until the deadline hits. I doubt either will come up because to bring them up might perpetuate the prmise of this season which I don’t think anyone in the FO is really interested in. They want to be sellers not Buyers!
  
  If they are not getting enough info about how ready Harvey is from thier regular reporting methods then time to change hose methods!
  
  And for the record I’m not saying it would be a mistake either way they decide on Harvey, There are good enough arguments for both sides of that coin.
  Just saying if these guys who are highly paid to run the team can’t seem to decide one way or the other then they probably are not qualified to run this team!
Morning Mets Links: 7.16.12 » Up Along First | A New York Mets blog July 16, 2012 at 9:01 am

[...] Could Liriano Be A Solution?- MetsMerized Online [...]
Nick July 17, 2012 at 2:40 am

Why not Jenry Mejia and 1 or 2 of the backend young pitchers in AA? I think Liriano would thrive with the Mets. Lets do it!!!!!!!

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	42	30	.583	-
Phillies	35	37	.486	7.0
Nationals	34	36	.486	7.0
Mets	27	40	.403	12.5
Marlins	22	48	.314	19.0

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