Francisco Liriano: I Talked With Red Sox Before Signing With Pirates

Francisco Liriano apparently took the best deal available. But according to the pitcher, it wasn’t the only deal available.

Liriano recently told Dan Zangrilli of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that he had discussions with the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros before signing a three-year, $39 million contract with the Pirates over the offseason.

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Liriano spent the last two seasons with the Bucs, posting a 23-18 record and 3.20 ERA in 55 starts. The Pirates extended a one-year, $15.3 million qualifying offer at the beginning of free agency, but the 31-year-old left-hander rejected it in order to test the open market.

The Red Sox acquired three starting pitchers — Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson — after losing out on Liriano.

Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images