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The rebuilding Tigers have agreed to a one-year deal with southpaw Francisco Liriano, according to Robert Murray of FanRag Sports. The deal is for $4 million, with an extra $1 million in incentives.
Source: #Tigers signing LHP Francisco Liriano to one-year, $4 million deal. $1 million in incentives.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) February 23, 2018
Liriano, 34, won a World Series with the Astros last season after being acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. Liriano was struggling as a starter in Toronto, and the Astros assigned him to a bullpen role as a lefty specialist. In 14 1⁄3 innings out of the bullpen in Houston, Liriano posted a 4.48 ERA and pitched 2 2⁄3 innings during the 2017 postseason.
Despite his recent relief experience, Murray reports that Liriano will compete for a spot in the Tigers’ starting rotation, likely vying for the fifth spot in a rotation led by former Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer. Jordan Zimmerman and Mike Fiers are also locks for the starting rotation, meaning Liriano will have to beat out Daniel Norris and Matthew Boyd if he wants to return to a starting role.
The Tigers will be the sixth different major league uniform that Liriano will wear so far in his 12-year career. He is mainly remembered for his seven-year stint with the Twins, when he earned his only All-Star appearance as a rookie in 2006.