Francisco Liriano and Pirates agree to two-year contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates and free agent pitcher Francisco Liriano agreed to a two-year, $14 million dollar contract on Friday. Liriano must pass a physical before the deal is finalized.

Liriano made his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2005 and stayed in Minnesota until a mid-season trade sent him to the Chicago White Sox last season. Liriano had an All-Star season in 2006, but never reached that same level again. Last year he went 6-12 with a 5.34 ERA, 1.468 WHIP and 167 strikeouts.

At only 29 years old, Liriano still has plenty of upside for the Pirates. He is a good strikeout pitcher, with 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings last season, but often struggles with control. In addition to his strikeouts, he also averaged 5.0 walks per nine innings last season.

The Pirates finished the 2012 season with a 79-83 record, their best season since 1997. Pittsburgh has failed to make the playoffs or have a winning record since 1992.