7-0 in his last nine starts at AAA Rochester with a 2.73 ERA normally gets you a call-up to the big leagues. Especially when you've already proven yourself on the major league level. Francisco Liriano is dominating in his rehab stint and would like to know why he remains at the minor league level.
"He's now dominating," Genske told FOXSports.com. "The team agrees he's dominating. (The union) has determined that there is reasonable cause to open an investigation to see whether the Twins, by leaving him in the minors, are violating his rights in the Basic Agreement."So why haven't the Twins brought up the powerful lefty? To their credit, they've won 21 of their past 28 games and have gotten solid performances out of the current starting rotation which consists of right-handers Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Livan Hernandez along with lefty Glen Perkins.
There may be a little more to story, however, reports Ken Rosensquirrel of FoxSports:
If Liriano filed a grievance, he could seek either a restoration of major-league service time, financial compensation or both. His loss of major-league time already will prevent him from qualifying for salary arbitration with three years of service and almost certainly will prevent him from qualifying as a "Super Two" player as well.Certainly seems odd to withhold the obviously benefits of a nasty left-handed pitcher. The Twins will continue to insist that these financial implications played no role in their decision, but it's difficult to see it any other way. Liriano could command some big arbitration dollars.
Tell me, would you rather have Francisco or Livan Hernandez and his 5.44 ERA?
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