Liriano signs three-year deal with the Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano to a three-year contract. The announcement was made by Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

Liriano went 7-10 with a 3.38 ERA (162.1ip/61er), 175 strikeouts and a .218 batting average against in 29 starts with the Pirates in 2014. His 175 strikeouts and 29 starts were the second-highest season totals of his big league career, trailing only the 201 punchouts and 31 starts he made in 2010 while pitching for Minnesota. Liriano also ranked third among all National League starting pitchers in batting average against, trailing only Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto (.194) and Cy Young Award Winner and 2014 National League Most Valuable Player Clayton Kershaw (.196). Liriano averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched in 2014, trailing only Kershaw (10.8) and Washington's Stephen Strasburg (10.1).

Since signing with Pittsburgh on February 8, 2013, the 31-year-old Liriano has posted a record of 23-18, a 3.20 ERA (323.1ip/115er), 338 strikeouts and a .218 batting average against. During that time, he ranks fifth among National League southpaws in wins and strikeouts, seventh in ERA and second in batting average against among National League left-handed hurlers with at least 300 innings pitched.

Liriano took home National League Comeback Player-of-the-Year honors by Major League Baseball, The Sporting News and the Major League Baseball Players Association in 2013 during his first season with Pittsburgh after going 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA (161.0ip/54er) and 163 strikeouts while helping to lead the Pirates back to the postseason.