Liriano coming? Hernandez going?

Liriano coming? Hernandez going?

The Twins wouldn't deal away a young starter, but their biggest pitching move could come from within.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

As the league's nonwaiver trade deadline came and went on Thursday, the Twins just couldn't part with one of their quartet of young starting pitchers.

In fact, they may be on the verge of making it a quintet.

There are strong indications that Francisco Liriano could finally be on his way from Class AAA Rochester to replace Livan Hernandez in the rotation.

Several people with knowledge of the situation have said over the past two days that it's time for Liriano to join the major league roster and that Hernandez's recent results indicate it is time for a change. That change could come as early as today. Liriano was scheduled to start tonight for Rochester, but it's said to be likely he won't make that start.

Liriano, fully healthy after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2006 and in fine form at Rochester, where he's 10-2 with a 3.28 ERA, could provide the boost to the pennant chase the Twins were unable to find before the trade deadline.

Hernandez on Wednesday fell to 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA as the Twins lost to the White Sox. The Twins are expected to designate Hernandez for assignment and eat the remainder of his $5 million contract.

Based on manager Ron Gardenhire's comments before Thursday's game, there's no reason to think Liriano would be called up to pitch out of the bullpen.

"No,'' Gardenhire said. "Coming off of surgery to use him, wait for him to rebound, get him loose two or three times in three days, that's not good. He's a starter.''

Twins General Manager Bill Smith tried to keep the conversation focused on his efforts to improve his team as it fights for the playoffs. But talk about when Liriano will join the cause just wouldn't go away.

"For several weeks I've said, 'Yes, I think he will,' '' Smith said. "Today was about the trade deadline.''

The Twins explored deals before the deadline but didn't get close. Talks with Seattle about Adrian Beltre and Baltimore's Brian Roberts in recent weeks never developed.

Taking on salary wasn't the problem. Trading away prospects wasn't an issue. But the Twins wouldn't part with righthanders Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey or lefthander Glen Perkins.

"We really like this group of young pitchers,'' Smith said. "We said that last January, and we still like this group of players. For this year, we made the right decisions. And certainly for next year.''

Twins players agreed.

"We can't give up any of the pitchers we have,'' first baseman Justin Morneau said. "They are the reason we are here and where we are at.''

The Twins did talk with San Francisco and Texas about righthander Boof Bonser but didn't like what they were being offered.

No one seemed to mind that the Twins stood pat on Thursday. Closer Joe Nathan said the players are happy where the club is at right now.

"Doing nothing was better than what they did last year,'' he said.

Maybe it's because they know they're only 1 1/2 games out of first place and Liriano is on the verge of returning to the majors -- and adding a former All-Star is never a bad thing.

Ummm...Tigers should sign Hernandez?

Better than Nate! Go for it Tigers and let the Twins pay is salary!!!

Quote :

Hernandez on Wednesday fell to 10-8 with a 5.48
ERA as the Twins lost to the White Sox. The Twins are expected to
designate Hernandez for assignment and eat the remainder of his $5
million contract.

Liriano, Ruiz to join Twins; Hernandez, Monroe headed out
Posted on August 1st, 2008 – 3:02 PM
By Joe Christensen

The Twins plan to cut ties with Livan Hernandez and Craig Monroe today, clearing space for Francisco Liriano and Randy Ruiz to join the roster from Class AAA Rochester.

The team has yet to make an official announcement, but Liriano and Ruiz are on their way to the Twin Cities from Class AAA Rochester, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

Hernandez and Monroe likely will be designated for assignment.

Hernandez is 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 starts and has allowed 199 hits in 139 2/3 innings.

The Twins signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal shortly before spring training, and he is due to begin collecting $133,333 in incentives at 160 innings pitched, another $133,333 at 165 innings pitched, etc.

Monroe is batting .202 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 163 at-bats. The Twins are paying him $3.82 million this season. Unless they can trade Hernandez and Monroe, they will be on the hook for most of that money.

The Liriano move was expected, as he has gone 9-1 with a 2.51 ERA in his past 10 starts for Rochester. He was scheduled to start again tonight for the Red Wings, but they are planning to use Tom Shearn in his place.

It’s uncertain when he will start for the Twins, but Hernandez was scheduled to pitch Monday in Seattle.

Ruiz needs to be added to the 40-man roster, but he is batting .320 with 17 home runs and 68 RBI for the Red Wings.

The Twins will be replacing one righthanded power hitter for another by inserting Ruiz for Monroe.

Update (4:05 p.m.): The Twins made it official. Hernandez and Monroe were designated for assignment, meaning the team now has 10 days to either trade them, release them or put them on waivers.

Ruiz is not at the Metrodome yet, but he’s in the starting lineup:

1. Denard Span, RF, 2. Nick Punto, 2B, 3. Joe Mauer, C, 4. Justin Morneau, 1B, Delmon Young, LF, 6. Randy Ruiz, DH, 7. Brendan Harris, 3B, 8. Adam Everett, SS, 9. Carlos Gomez, CF.

Twins vs. Cleveland. First pitch 7:10 p.m.

Twins cut ex-Tiger Monroe, promote Liriano

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES • August 1, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS —The Minnesota Twins have promoted pitcher Francisco Liriano from Triple-A and cut pitcher Livan Hernandez and outfielder Craig Monroe.

The Twins also selected the contract of first baseman/designated hitter Randy Ruiz from Rochester on Friday.

Liriano was 10-2 with a 3.28 ERA at Triple-A. A rookie star with the Twins in 2006, he missed the entire 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. Last month, Liriano’s agent asked the players’ union to investigate why the Twins had not moved the lefty back to the majors.

Hernandez and Monroe were designated for release or assignment. Hernandez was 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA and Monroe hit .202 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs.