MLB Rumors: 5 relievers the Red Sox should target

3. Francisco Liriano

The Pittsburgh Pirates are close enough to the edges of contention in the National League that they are unlikely to offer closer Felipe Vazquez up for trade. Vazquez is signed to an extremely team-friendly long-term deal and is only 27 years old. While he could fetch a haul at the trade deadline, the Pirates should hold on for now and keep Vazquez as the anchor to their bullpen.

Vazquez looks untouchable for now, but the Pirates should be fielding offers for veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano. The 14-year veteran is on his second stint in Pittsburgh, this time as a reliever, and continues to maintain value there at the age of 35. He has made 37 appearances this year and has a 2.70 ERA while holding opponents to a .215/.306/.342 line.

Liriano has been traded twice over the past three years, and he will likely be suiting up for a new team before the deadline this year. He has reinvented himself as a reliever, and has shown an ability to be more than a lefty specialist. In short bursts, Liriano remains as nasty as his best years as a starter.

Control can be an issue for Liriano, as evidenced by his walk rate of 4.3 per-nine, but he has managed to work around the free passes. The Red Sox are in desperate need of a left-hander, but also need more than a specialist who can only be trusted for a batter at a time. Liriano fits that bill.