The Pirates have announced that left-hander Francisco Liriano and outfielder Melky Cabrera will be on the team’s 25-man roster for Opening Day. (MLB.com’s Adam Berry was among those to report the news.) Since both players are in camp on minor league contracts, the Bucs will still need to make some room on their 40-man roster. Only one more spot will need to be created, as Edgar Santana is already headed for the 60-day injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September.
The news means that Liriano will officially make his return to the Pirates, after previously pitching for the club from 2013-16. Liriano will become the primary left-handed option in the Pittsburgh bullpen, with closer Felipe Vazquez currently the only other southpaw projected by Roster Resource for the 25-man roster. Steven Brault is the only other lefty on the 40-man roster, so Liriano clearly had opportunity to win himself a job.
Liriano has primarily worked as a starter throughout his 13 years in the big leagues, and it’s possible he could still be some action as an emergency starter or long man for Pittsburgh this year. At the moment, however, the 35-year-old looks to be primarily used against left-handed hitters, as Lirano has continued to excel against same-sided hitters in recent years even as his effectiveness against right-handed batters has declined. In 2017, Liriano worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Astros after a deadline trade from the Blue Jays, and Liriano served as a solid bullpen piece down the stretch and during Houston’s World Series run.
With Gregory Polanco sidelined for the first part of the season, the Bucs were in need of extra outfield depth beyond starting center fielder Starling Marte and left fielder Corey Dickerson. The switch-hitting Cabrera will balance out the left-handed hitting Lonnie Chisenhall in right field, and Cabrera could also spell Dickerson against some southpaws. Cabrera isn’t far removed from a .296/.345/.455 performance over 646 PA with the White Sox in 2016, though the 34-year-old has been roughly a league-average hitter in 2015 and 2017-18.
As per the terms of the two minor league contracts, Liriano will earn $1.8MM in guaranteed money for making the Pirates’ roster, while Cabrera will earn $1.15MM. Both players also have more available in incentive bonuses.
Need any other ex-Blue Jay?
Yeah, Tulo. But he’s already taken.
Hecchavaria is available.
Had him for three weeks in September last year
He passed through the claiming process on his “upward mobility” clause, so it’s the Mets’ decision whether to add him to the 25-man or send him to the minors. Is it going to be a 26-man roster? Has that change been finalized?
26 man roster starts in 2020 season.
I would have no problem at all if the Bucs brought Hechavarria back if they think none of the younger shortstops are ready. He was a nice addition for them last season, and he frankly outplayed Jordy Mercer in every aspect while in Pittsburgh (that’s not setting too high of a bar, mind you, but it was what it was).
Pirates going for it this year
Below the 50 million payroll total?
After 25 plus ST games you’d think a photo of Liriano in a Pirates uni would be available?
Or the fact that he was a Pirate from 2013-2016?
This is hilariously true.
Just like the pirates, go big or go home!
Go Big? Did they make a deal for C.C. ??
Nutting spending big this year to recapture some of that 2011 magic.
Chad Kuhl will also be going on the 60 day DL with Tommy John surgery.
Raise the Jolly Roger!!! Oh Pirates fans, you poor SOBs. I feel for you.
no reason to complain about this, there werent many better options on the table.
Cabrera didn’t do half bad in spring training, but I’m a little surprised by Liriano. I guess he’s going to be used as a LOOGY, ecause I can’t think of any other role he’d be good at.
burdi should have made the opening day roster!
Either Burdi or Neverauskas will make roster. Burdi seems to be the favorite.
Burdi has to for 60 more days or they lose him due to,Rule 5
No more Neverauskas. Please.
I actually liked the Cabrera signing. The Bucs haven’t had a good bench in a while, or too many switch-hitters who could contribute. Melky has a chance to do both of those.
As long as he STAYS on the bench and gets minimal playing time in the field. Then the buccos won’t realize his defensive liabilities.
He’s not the best in the field, but I’ve seen far worse, and yes I did see him play last year. In any event Polanco will be back hopefully sometime in May, and at that point if Melky sticks around he’s essentially the 5th outfielder.
Well the 4th once Chisenhall inevitably gets hurt
yanks and gio Gonzalez for 3 mil. 3 million . By gawd you tellin me nutting couldnt do that? keep having hopes they don’t mean nutting. last place
Wait until how he does before spouting that. There was a reason most pitch needy teams passed on him. He’s another Sabathia….soft tossing lefty.
CC Sabathia is not a soft tossing lefty.
Are you stuck in 2009 Garry?
3 million plus a 300k bonus per start. If he signed with the pirates, my guess is he’d of expected to be a starter and get paid more. With the Yankees, I’m guessing he was okay with a possible bullpen role with incentives to be paid per start since he’ll at least make some.
Bucholtz for 3 mill and we didnt get him. That’s the one that bothers me. And we almost traded for him a few years ago. Yet, couldnt find 3 to 4 mill for him…
“we didn’t get him, we almost traded for him” What position in the Pirates FO do you hold?
He has to WANT to sign with a team as well. If the Pirates offered the same contract nothing says he chooses that dumpster fire over the Yankees.
Pablo Reyes needs to make roster, with his versatility, he can pinch run, with a good bat. Colin Moran gets Dfaed or goes to AAA. No need for him with Kang back.
Moran looks lost at the plate and on the field. He can’t pull with power anymore. AAA….maybe he will find it there.
Moran does have an option left, I think. There’s no need to give up on Moran completely just yet, but he’s nit one of the best 25 players right now. Reyes is a really interesting piece for the Bucs right now, especially if they think he can play shortstop well enough to compete there. Reyes could be what Josh Harrison and Adam Frazier were at one time before him: super sub, getting a good bit of playing time at multiple positions.