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| Francisco Liriano allowed four hits, two walks and one run in seven innings Monday against the White Sox. |
Maybe it's simply the fact that he's too talented a pitcher, when healthy, to pitch as poorly as he did in his first six starts.
But Liriano is now pitching at a high level once again. And on Monday, it was against a pretty good lineup.
In his first six starts of 2012, Liriano had an ERA of 9.45. He has had six starts since serving a stint in the bullpen, with an ERA of 2.41.
The first five starts came against teams that have struggled offensively. The White Sox have some serious punch in the middle of its order. It has some hitters who can drag out at-bats and punish a pitcher who lacks command.
Games like this have to make it tempting for the Twins to resist the urge to trade the free-agent-to-be before the non-waiver deadline at the end of next month. Certainly it should increase the interest of other teams in trading for Liriano.
I do not expect the Twins to pass up a good deal for him. And games like Monday make it all the more likely that there will be a good deal available in the next five weeks.
It seems somewhat odd that we all want to trade Liriano, yet we need starting pitching. This team needs to win games, the fan base is getting agitated. Keep Liriano, win some games, if he leaves at the end of the year so be it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anon. It seems strange that we want to build a good team, but when players play well we want to trade them away for some kids who are only prospects. I like having the Mauers, Morneaus, Spans, Liriano's, and Willinghams around. When they get good, keep 'em!
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