MLB: Top Free Agent Starting Pitchers Available This Winter

Francisco Liriano (7-10, 3.38 ERA, 175 K’s)

Okay, now, stay with me. I know Liriano did not have a great record this season, and that is usually not good going into a free agent season.

Liriano had a horrible start to the season. From the start of the season through July 12, he went 1-7 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.

He turned it around, however, going 6-3 the rest of the way, posting a 2.20 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. He won all of his four decisions in September. He was instrumental in helping the Pittsburgh Pirates get into the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Liriano had a better record in 2013, but his ERA was not off by much (3.02 in 2013 to 3.38 in 2014), he threw more innings (161 in 2013 and 162.1 in 2014) and he had more strikeouts (163 in 2013 and 175 in 2014). So while he received a lot more attention in 2013, his numbers in 2014 were very similar.

Because of how he has pitched the last two seasons, Liriano will get a multiyear deal. At 30, he still has a few good years left in him. He will not command top dollar number one starter-type money,

Since Liriano spent the entire season with Pittsburgh, they can make a qualifying offer of $15.3 million. That would mean that if he rejects it and signs with another team, that team would need to give up their highest draft pick. That scenario may make Liriano less attractive to teams looking for a fourth starter. Pittsburgh may not make the offer, however, since Liriano may take it (though no qualifying offer has been accepted the last two years) and $15.3 million for a non-elite starter may be too much for the Pirates.