Liriano to Fort Myers

by Jesse on Mar 28, 2008 6:35 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

Southpaw to remain for two starts; Blackburn makes rotation.

A conservative approach has been taken in the decision on how to handle Francisco Liriano coming out of spring training. After rehabbing his arm, and entering camp late, the Twins have stated that the 2006 phenom will be allowed additional time to prepare. Ron Gardenhire believes is the best course of action:

"...another start or two is the right thing. We'll get his pitch count up there close to 100 pitches in a couple starts, and we're going to do everything that's right for him."

Gardenhire added that Liriano will be re-evaluated following his two starts, and that a decision on how to proceed would be made at that time.

In the interim, 26-year old Nick Blackburn has been awarded a spot in the starting rotation. He's scheduled to take the hill Wedesday, the third game of the season and the third game of the series against the Angels. In six appearances this spring, Blackburn has struck out eight in sixteen innings, while walking five with a 2.25 ERA.

Poll

How many starts will Liriano make before joining the Twins?

2

56 votes

3 or 4

64 votes

5 or more

15 votes

135 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 9 comments

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Comments

Don't have a problem with this ...

Cisco basically missed two starts by getting to camp late & the club's talking about getting him those starts in lower pressure environments.

AS STATED (which is a significant qualifier), the plan doesn't strike me as all that "conservative".

If it stretches into 4 or 5 starts (assuming, of course, no setbacks), then we'll revisit the topic.

by BD57 on Mar 28, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would have viewed

a decision to send Liriano north as an aggressive approach, which is why I called it conservative. But sure, it's probably just more of an intelligent decision than a conservative one.

by Jesse on Mar 28, 2008 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Job!

I am supportive of Gardy's decision. The last thing I want is for Liriano to get hurt so soon in the season. I hope that whatever communication problem there was between him and the Twin's is over now. I want to see this young guy succeed.

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by Andersklasen on Mar 28, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Two Starts...

The plan is for him to start in Fort Myers on Thursday in the club's opener. Then he will go to Rochester and start a game before heading north.

My main question is who does he replace in the rotation. The Twins did put Blackburn number three now and moved Slowey back to four...

"Don't take anything for granted, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us."

by Twins Territory on Mar 28, 2008 8:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Blackburn or Slowey

Since I don't see the Twins bringing Liriano up and putting him into the bullpen, I'm not sure it could be anyone else. Livan is a lock, Bonser is a lock, if Baker can prove he's ready to go he'll be a lock as well. You hate to say that it depends on which one of Slowey and Blackburn performs worse, but I don't know how else they'll do it...Gardy and Anderson will probably have a lot of say in it, on who they feel is in the best position to make a positive contribution at the time.

Of course maybe by then they decide Bass isn't ready to handle the majors and they shift Blackburn or Slowey into the pen...it's all just guesswork. But when Liriano gets called up he will be starting and he will take someone's place, because you can't just sit on someone with Liriano's talent and not try to take advantage of it. I think it has to be one of these two, barring something unexpected happening.

by Jesse on Mar 28, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Livian?

Are we sure Livian is a lock? I'd say the only absolute locks are Baker and Bonser... and then whoever's doing the worst is the one who gets replaced by Liriano (though if it's close, Livian will be the one given the most leeway).

I suppose, though, it'll also depend on how the bullpen is holding up -- if they're looking ugly, consideration will be given to the inning eaters.

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by Robin G on Mar 29, 2008 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect Livan's a lock ... at least, for the time being

IF the plan holds - Cisco starts once for Fort Myers, once for Rochester & then he's back with the Twins - then Livan's a "lock" - - - you'd be talking about yanking Livan from the rotation after two, maybe three starts, in favor of keeping both Slowey & Blackburn (Slowey limited ML experience, Blackburn less than Slowey) in the rotation.

Gardy don't do that.

Ponson couldn't pitch himself out of the rotation that quickly. I really can't see Livan doing it.

by BD57 on Mar 30, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I chose 5 or more...

...because if it stretches beyone 2, money will become a consideration. LIriano has 2 years 31 days service time. Keeping him in the minors for over 32 days of this season means he will not be eligible for free agency until 2013 rather than 2012. Although I do not believe the Twins base all decisions on contract status, if it gets to within a week or two...it would be mismangement for them not to consider it.

by roger13 on Mar 28, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There ain't no locks

The biggest concern for this team this year is starting pitching -even though they have several concerns- can the non-Morneau infielders hit, do Lamb & Everett have adequate range, can Lamb play Twins level defense, can Go-Go play at an adequate major league level offensively & defensively- but still the big question is what has a starting pitcher done for us lately we will see a miinimum of 7 starters probably by the end of April. roger13's point re: free agency was excellent- Liriano has pitched very nicely his last 2 starts from what I've read and seen and appears to be as major league ready as anybody else on this staff if not more. I think liriano has the competitive heart of a race horse and i look forward to him taking the hill.

by Swanee on Mar 29, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs