Phillies

Francisco Liriano Reportedly “Close to a Deal” With Phillies (Updated)

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jan 22nd, 2020 · 12:05 PM EST

---

I originally read this tweet as “Lindor” and almost had a heart attack.

Per Jon Heyman:

Francisco Liriano is close to a deal with Phillies

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 22, 2020

Liriano is 36 years old now and spent 2019 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He appeared in 69 games with a 3.47 ERA, striking out 8.1 batters and walking 4.5 per nine innings.

Bob points out that lefties only hit .194 against Liriano last year. He throws his slider about 30% of the time and batters only hit .143 against that pitch. He’s another bullpen arm, and with a lack of effective left-handed relief options, he’s an interesting “buy low” type of guy. Liriano did start 26 games for Detroit in 2018, but all of his appearances in Pittsburgh came out of the bullpen. The Phils still need… something in the pen, and this would qualify.

EDIT:

Robert Murray with details –

Sources: #Phillies in agreement with free-agent pitcher Francisco Liriano on a minor-league deal. $1.5 million with $1.25 million in incentives. @JonHeyman first said close.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 22, 2020