Yankees Should Make Run at Francisco Liriano If Twins Want to Move Left-Hander

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Feb 12, 2011

The Yankees have been very active this offseason trying to solve their starting pitching woes by landing three new starters — Mark Prior, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon. However, their biggest move could come if they somehow land the newest name reportedly available for trade discussions.

According to the Star Tribune, Francisco Liriano is a possible trading piece for the Minnesota Twins.

Liriano will become a free agent after the 2012 season, and Joe Christensen writes that "the Twins don't plan to sign him long term." Last weekend, the team avoided arbitration with a one-year, $4.3 million deal.

If the Twins do decide to move Liriano, New York may make sense as a potential suitor.

New York failed to sign prized free agent Cliff Lee, but acquiring Liriano would be a great fit to solidify a starting rotation that's in need of another lefty and arm in the rotation.

Last season, the 27-year-old southpaw threw 191 2/3 innings and had a 14-10 record, 3.62 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 201 strikeouts. The numbers are not nearly as good as his unbelievable rookie season, in which he had a 12-3 record, 2.16 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 144 strikeouts over 121 innings before being shut down early to undergo Tommy John surgery. However, they're significantly better than those of the 2009 season, when he had a 5-13 record with a 5.80 record.

Because the Yankees did not re-sign Andy Pettitte, the team could use another left-handed starter, along with CC Sabathia, to battle the loaded Red Sox lineup full of left-handed batters like Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz and J.D. Drew.

Last season, those five hitters had a .235, .256, .337, .222 and .208 batting averages against left-handers respectively. Only Gonzalez had a solid average against southpaws.

On top of that, last season Liriano held left-handers to a .218 batting average with no home runs and only six extra-base hits allowed.

In two career starts at Yankee stadium, Liriano has an 0-1 record with a 3.00 ERA over 12.0 innings.

The Yankees may have to make a move for Liriano if they wish to be competing with the Red Sox in the AL East standings come September.

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