Fansided

Top 25 tradeable pieces to keep an eye on this season

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – MAY 20: Francisco Liriano #38 of the Detroit Tigers reacts against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during their game at Safeco Field on May 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MAY 20: Francisco Liriano #38 of the Detroit Tigers reacts against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during their game at Safeco Field on May 20, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

16. Francisco Liriano

You never quite know what you’re going to get from veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano. Even at 34, he still has some of the nastiest overall stuff in the league. Figuring out where it’s going when it leaves his hand, however, has always been the bigger challenge. Liriano has been dominant in spurts throughout his career, and has bounced back this year after struggling in 2017.

For the Detroit Tigers, Liriano is one of their more easily moved trade chips and another successful flip of a veteran on a cheap deal for a rebuilding team. The 34-year-old is currently on the DL with a hamstring strain, but is only expected to miss two weeks. In his first 10 starts this year, Liriano is 3-2 with a 3.90 ERA. He has also been particularly nasty against left-handed batters, holding them to a .102/.185/.224 line.

Liriano is a volatile trade chip, but at least one contender will step up to acquire him — as has been the case for two years running. In 2016, Liriano was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays and went 2-2 down the stretch with a 2.92 ERA in 49.1 innings. His stint as a reliever with the Houston Astros last year did not go quite as well.

Veteran pitchers with a high upside and cheap contract will always draw a crowd at the deadline, and that will be no different with Francisco Liriano this July, so long as he stays healthy and does not implode. Even if he is not used as a starter, the numbers against lefty batters this year speak for themselves.

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