Liriano is BACK!

[Devilzsidewalk]

The Twins are hoping that they'll get a significant contribution from pitcher Francisco Liriano in 2010.

He is coming off his worst season with Minnesota, having gone 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 2009. However, Liriano appears have to bounced back in the Dominican Winter League.

The left-hander went 3-1 with a 0.49 ERA in seven playoff starts, while recording 47 strikeouts and five walks in 37 innings.

Thats huge if we can have a big time ace and then Duensing or Baker or Blackburn stepping up as a true #2

[Worm Guts]

Liriano being a #1 again would be huge, but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I think if he's healthy, he should be fine. Hopefully he was on the juice to repair his arm 110%. Offseason only of course.

[collin_k41]

I don't expect him to ever return to his "old self" but if he can even come close he will still be a very good pitcher. I hope he's gotten better at locating his fastball, that seemed to kill him last year. He'd get down in the count and have to through a meatball and guys just didn't miss.

[links]

Those numbers are awesome but it was against the Dominican Winter League. When he puts up some good numbers with the Twins, then I will believe he is back.

Hopefully he can return to being a great pitcher tho, it would be a huge boost to our rotation. Right know I think it is him and Duensing battling for the 5th spot.

[daddyfivestar]

Liriano being a #1 again would be huge, but I'll believe it when I see it.

This

[Narf]

He posted a 0.49 ERA in the Winter league.

What people should look at IMO is his pitch selection. From what I've read, he threw more sliders than fastballs. If that's true, then he might actually be back.