Welcome Back, Francisco Liriano

What role will Francisco Liriano fill this season?

Can Francisco Liriano regain his 2006 form?

Welcome back Francisco Liriano.

Nearly ten years after being signed out of the Domincan Republic, Minnesota’s Francisco Liriano is getting back on track to becoming the next Johan Santana, or perhaps, the next Joe Nathan.

In November of 2003, in what has been named one of the most lopsided trades in professional sports history, the San Francisco Giants traded future closer Joe Nathan, starter Francisco Liriano, and pitcher Boof Bonser for catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

Basically, the Giants traded one of the greatest closers of the last decade, one of the best pitching prospects of the last decade, and a fat pitcher named Boof for A.J. Pierzynski, who only played one season in San Fran.

Nathan, meanwhile, has racked up 247 career saves and Liriano went 12-3 in 2006, and although injuries have derailed his plan to be the next Johan Santana, he is making significant strides this spring.

Clearly, Liriano has not been the same pitcher since his 2006 Tommy John surgery (11-17 the last two season), but he is looking to be either the Twins’ No. 5 starter, or perhaps, if Joe Nathan is out for the season, the team’s new closer.

“I’d rather start,” Liriano told MLB.com, but he also said, “I’m ready for anything.”

Liriano will more than likely make the Twins roster after Minnesota breaks camp at the end of this month, and his overpowering stuff make him an obvious candidate for the closer’s role, but he needs to find some consistency after his dreadful 2009 campaign (5-13, 5.80 ERA). Liriano has not been effective since his 2006 campaign and will likely make the roster on talent alone.

Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire did not exactly clear the air to MLB.com on what role we can expect Liriano to be in this upcoming season.

“We’re getting him ready to be a starter, and when we get to the season, we’ll decide, and we’ll talk to the pitcher first and then we’ll go from there. We’ve already told ourselves that we’re going to get these guys ready to be starters, give them every opportunity to strengthen their arms and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do with the closer.”

Liriano reportedly battled arm fatigue last season and has never pitched in back-to-back games in his career at any level, but it looks like he will do anything just to make the team.

“I’m trying to get better every day. I do all I can do. I don’t know if I’m going to be the same guy or not, but just trying to get better every day.”

We will know more in the next few weeks and Joe Nathan is expected to pitch this weekend.

Matt Anaya
Twitter.com/MatAnaya