Liriano Heating Up

Francisco Liriano (Sperl) is starting to get his groove back in AAA while playing for the Rochester Red Wings of the International League. In his last 10 starts he is 7-0 with a 3.30 ERA in 62.2 IP. During this stretch he has fanned 64 while only walking 12 and surrendering 53 hits. He has been very tough against LHH as his ERA against them is .84. Liriano was the "Throw in" prospect that packaged him along with Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser to the Twins and the Giants received AJ Pierzynski in return. It is always funny to look back at trades and look at the prospects that are thrown into deals. This shows how much of a crap shoot scouting in MLB has become.

Other News and Notes:

Toronto sent its top executive to Reading to look at prospects. This looks like Allan James (A.J) Burnett may come to Philly. I would assume that the Phillies will not trade Carasco or Gregg Golson but reports are that the Blue Jays are looking a catcher Lou Marson and SS Jason Donald. The upside to this deal is that the Philles will upgrade their rotation but it will come at a price because Burnett is due $24 million over the next 2 years and he has the option to opt out of his contract after this season. Phillies GM Pat Gillick could care less about that becuase this is his last season with the club. This is the same GM that lead the Blue Jays in 1993 to a World Series victory over the Phillies and the Same GM who left the Orioles in 1998 after taking them to the playoffs in 1996 and 1997, the O's have not had a winning season since! Burnett has been in the NL East before and has had success with the Marlins and he has been pitching in the not-so-friendly AL East for the past couple of years. Burnett is a weird dude as he uses customized bats from Ozzy Ozbourne and Marilyn Manson and he comes out to the song Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson. He plays in a rock band called Mad Ink and used to wear nipples rings.

Ryan Howard will be the first player since 1948 to lead his league in HR and RBI and not make the ALL-Star game and I don't want to hear about his BA and K's because Varitek is hitting .218 and Jeter is having a terrible year. I am sounding bitter but Hamels should have made it as well over Aaron Cook who has an higher ERA and Cole has lowered his WHIP to .99 in 135 IP.

Also Von Hayes, former Phillie, is the coach of the Lancaster Barnstomers if anyone cares (The venue of our past draft.)