The market for free-agent starting pitchers is expected to pick up once Jon Lester makes his decision, but neither Francisco Liriano nor the Pittsburgh Pirates were waiting around.
The Pirates and Liriano agreed to a three-year deal Tuesday that will pay Liriano $39 million, according to a report from Robert Murray of MLB Daily Rumors. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports verified the scoop.
Once official, it will be the largest free-agent contract the Pirates have ever given out, as noted by Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Liriano, 31, has revived his up-and-down career in Pittsburgh the past two seasons, with a 3.20 ERA to go along with 23 wins. He was better in 2013 than 2014, leading the Pirates into the playoffs with a 16-8 record and a 3.02 ERA.
Going into free agency, the Pirates tagged Liriano with a qualifying offer, which meant any team that signed him would forfeit a draft pick to Pittsburgh. That and Liriano's up-and-down nature would limit his market somewhat, so going back to the Pirates makes sense. He likes it there, and the Pirates like him. Liriano ranked No. 17 overall on Jeff Passan's Ultimate Free-Agent Tracker, and was eighth amongst starting pitchers.
The team's already re-signed A.J. Burnett, who was there in 2013. Next, Heyman says, the Pirates want to re-sign Edinson Volquez, who pitched for them in 2014.
The Pirates, apparently, like what's familiar.
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