Liriano heading to the Bronx?

[gman71]

Bob Nightengale of USA Today told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on Monday that he thinks it's possible Francisco Liriano will be traded to the Yankees sometime in the next two weeks.

We've heard discussion about the Twins possibly trading Liriano from a variety of sources, so it appears this rumor has legs. The Yankees have an obvious need in their rotation, but the Twins would be trading away the closest thing they have to an ace at the moment. According to Nightengale, the Twins would acquire either Ivan Nova or Joba Chamberlain, in addition to other pieces. Stay tuned, because it sounds like things are about to get very interesting.

[oldgoldy97]

I like the idea of trading him. Then we'll have a roster full of 3rd starters. This should be the year that he fully bounces back from his surgery, we'd be better off going with him for a month or two first.

[Zacky1053]

When guys like Mark Prior, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon are your projected 4th and 5th starters I'd be looking for another pitcher too if I were NY

[Screamer]

Great trade for the Twins... I'd rather have Nova than Liriano

If they trade Nova, then Liriano becomes thier 4th starter; it still doesn't help them fill the 5th spot

You see Colon is 270 lbs? Guess he hit 94 on the radar gun the other day

[MASNAR]

I am not sure why the Twins would do this.... :( whyeeee does it make sense for the Twins?

[7290morint]

Great trade for the Twins... I'd rather have Nova than Liriano

If they trade Nova, then Liriano becomes thier 4th starter; it still doesn't help them fill the 5th spot

You see Colon is 270 lbs? Guess he hit 94 on the radar gun the other day

You are nuts. Rather have Nova over Liriano? Liriano has ace stuff. Nova does not. Even despite Liriano's injuries he is still heads and shoulders above Nova.

[dizzydolse]

I definitely do not want them to trade Nova for Liriano at all. They can have Joba but I think Nova is going to be a great pitcher and I don't trust Liriano at all. I don't think the Yankees will trade Nova.

[7290morint]

I think the only way the Yankees would get Liriano is if they were willing to trade Banuelos and I'm not sure they are willing to do that. Furthermore, if the Twins deal Liriano they can kiss any chance they have at winning the division good bye.

[dthimesch]

I think the only way the Yankees would get Liriano is if they were willing to trade Banuelos and I'm not sure they are willing to do that. Furthermore, if the Twins deal Liriano they can kiss any chance they have at winning the division good bye.

This is true! unfortunately the Twins are looking at this long term. They do not want to commit to him long term and this is the time they are going to get the most for him in a trade. Just sucks that this would screw them for this season.

[7290morint]

This is true! unfortunately the Twins are looking at this long term. They do not want to commit to him long term and this is the time they are going to get the most for him in a trade. Just sucks that this would screw them for this season.

It's also taking a big chance that Gibson & Wimmers exceed their projected celings as solid #2 and #3 starters. I just think that Liriano has to be worth the gamble on a 3 year deal with an option for a 4th & 5th year. Let's face it, while Pavano has remade himself as a serious groundball pitcher he has nowhere near the stuff that Liriano has.

[dthimesch]

It's also taking a big chance that Gibson & Wimmers exceed their projected celings as solid #2 and #3 starters. I just think that Liriano has to be worth the gamble on a 3 year deal with an option for a 4th & 5th year. Let's face it, while Pavano has remade himself as a serious groundball pitcher he has nowhere near the stuff that Liriano has.

I COMPLETELY agree with you! Just wish the Twins thought the same on the 3 year deal :(

[7290morint]

Yeah, I don't understand the thinking of some front office GM's sometimes. Just with starting pitching at a premium, he is still young and in my eyes is totally worth the gamble on a 3 year deal. I mean Ted Lilly got a 3 year deal. It's just crazy that they seem like they won't even entertain the notion.

[IamRalpho]

Yeah I doubt/hope the Twins wouldnt do anything less than Banuelos++ for Liriano, who has ace stuff, cheap and under control for 3 more years.

Hell if the Twins asked for Montero, I could understand it.

[pac213up]

He's under the Twins control through 2012 so the Yankees would have to pay and arm and a leg to pry him away earlier than the Twins really need to move him.

[tehchamp]

Liriano is an ace, he finally is back to form now IMO.
Yankees would have to give up a ton to get him, at least that would be me if I were the Twins.

[clarkzac]

I really hope the Twins wouldn't do this. Its time they lock up an ace for that staff, I was devestated when they let Santana go. It seems like that move to get rid of him was somewhat good, in the case that Santana has been injured lately, not good for Santana but good for the Twins, but what did the Twins get for him in return? Not much. The Twins need to lock up Liriano, he's the ace of the staff. Plus in a couple of years they could have Liriano, Gibson, and Wimmers starting 1-2-3

[stumpfreeman]

NOOOOOO!! Every dam time they develope a decent starting pitcher he gets traded!! Not that Liriano comes without risk, but we need a strikeout pitcher and his slider is one of the best when he's on it. Too many of our pitchers pitch to contact. If they are thinking long term, I'd like to see that plan.

[Chaddie84]

Time to liquidate my Liriano PC :(

[clarkzac]

Time to liquidate my Liriano PC :(

Send them to me :)!

[jasonadkins]

Kyle Gibson can probably settle down as a 3-4 Starter type this year and eventually develop into a high end #2 Starter, and if the Twins can get Joba, Banuelos, and Montero/Sanchez, they might need to pull the trigger on that. Montero as a DH and two day per week catcher to fill in with Mauer could be sweet for the next seven or eight years. The Twins have six formidable starters right now with Liriano, Pavano, Slowey, Densing, Baker, and Blackburn. Gibson could definitely push his way in before the All Star Break with or without injuries. The White Sox have a very fragile team and the Tigers don't have a full staff, so even without Liriano, the Twins have a good chance to win the division this year and can help their team for years to come with a nice overtrade from Yankee desperation.

[YanksBillsFan]

It's got to throw up a red flag if the Twins are willing to deal Liriano. He's arguable their best SP and would help their chances toward another playoff appearance. He missed a couple of days already with a sore shoulder and his work ethic has been called into question numerous times. It's considered that the Yanks would need to give up a lot for him and Cashman is doing all he can to pull back the reigns when it comes to dealing the organizations top prospects. But then again, Levine or the Steinbrenner kids could overrule him like they did with the Soriano signing. I don't think the Twins are willing to commit to Liriano beyond his current deal so if the Yanks remain patient, I could see them getting Liriano below market value.

I'd love to have Liriano on the squad but would really like to see a youth movement from within the organizatino. No deal if it involves either Nova, Betances, Brackman, Noesi or Banuelos. Liriano's uncertainty around him isn't worth the risk of sacrificing blue chip prospects.

[colby2611]

i found this on yahoo sports.

Yankees asked about Twins' Liriano
By Mark J. Miller
New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been saying that he's got nothing going on in the trade department right now, but ESPN reports that during the offseason, the Yanks called the Minnesota Twins to see about the availability of team ace Francisco Liriano(notes).

Starting pitching is normally a strength for the Yankees but it is looking weaker this year due to the retirement of Andy Pettitte(notes), the inconsistency of A.J. Burnett(notes), and the inability of the Yanks to sign Cliff Lee(notes). Liriano went 14-10 for the Twins last year with a 3.62 ERA and 201 strikeouts.

"Thus far, the Twins have been unwilling to deal Liriano," ESPN notes, but Liriano is a free agent at the end of 2012 and if the Yankees continue to see starting pitching as a problem, the Twins may have the opportunity to sell high on Liriano.

[WCTYSON]

Kyle Gibson can probably settle down as a 3-4 Starter type this year and eventually develop into a high end #2 Starter, and if the Twins can get Joba, Banuelos, and Montero/Sanchez, they might need to pull the trigger on that. Montero as a DH and two day per week catcher to fill in with Mauer could be sweet for the next seven or eight years. The Twins have six formidable starters right now with Liriano, Pavano, Slowey, Densing, Baker, and Blackburn. Gibson could definitely push his way in before the All Star Break with or without injuries. The White Sox have a very fragile team and the Tigers don't have a full staff, so even without Liriano, the Twins have a good chance to win the division this year and can help their team for years to come with a nice overtrade from Yankee desperation.

A trade to the Yankees would not net anywhere near 2 high-end prospects and a MLB player, sorry. :cool: I doubt very seriously that the Yankees will move Montero or Sanchez. They have spent too much time and money on those two. Would they move Joba and Banuelos with some cash? Maybe. I do not think moving Liriano to the Yankees would be a good idea for the Twins at all. They can not seem to get past the Yankees in the playoffs, why make that harder. Liriano is the only starter for the Twins that is a front of the rotation pitcher followed by a bunch of guys that are bottom of the rotation. Gibson will be on the Twins staff this year but if you are expecting to see front of the rotation stuff now or in the future, you may be disappointed. He just is not that. He will be another addition to the mix of the bottom of the rotation starters for the Twins.

[Pills]

Joba's 25, and has no real spot, though I blame the Soriano deal for that. I don't think they'll convert him back to a starter if he stays in NY.

If I were Cashman, I'd be overjoyed to give him up plus two mid level prospects. That being said, while I don't think the Twins would ask for Montero (where would they put him?), they could ask for one of Banuelos/Bettances plus Mesa without Joba.

[37Jetson]

As a Detroit Tigers fan I hope the Twins make this trade so they can hose up their 2011 Season.

This is true! unfortunately the Twins are looking at this long term. They do not want to commit to him long term and this is the time they are going to get the most for him in a trade. Just sucks that this would screw them for this season.

[Giantsphan]

Being a Yankees fan, they need pitching. And Joba isnt really needed right now. I would let him go in the trade. But Ivon Nova should be kept.

[7290morint]

Being a Yankees fan, they need pitching. And Joba isnt really needed right now. I would let him go in the trade. But Ivon Nova should be kept.

It's funny how at one point Joba was the second coming. He had a chance to be a good starting pitcher; he showed four pitches with 2 already above average and the chance to develop a solid third pitch. I can't help but think it was the Yankees that really screwed him up by switching him back and forth. Although, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the shoulder injury he had in his first season of MLB had something to do with it also.

[CC_123]

The Twins would not be smart to deal Liriano at all. He has some nasty pitches, and they wouldn't be getting that in return. Young, solid pitchers like Liriano don't come along to often. He is arguably the best SP in the Twins rotation! We need Liriano to win the division again this season, if they trade Liriano, they are going to have a tough time winning the division!