Tom Singer has an article on the Pirates.com homepage about the non-roster invitees for Spring Training. In the article he has an interesting note about Francisco Liriano.
The Bucs’ NRI list currently includes 17, and there is at least one more on the way: Indications are that Francisco Liriano — when all the roadblocks to formalizing his signing are cleared — will wind up coming to camp on a Minor League deal and an invite.
Singer notes that the current 40-man roster is full, and that bringing in Liriano on a minor league deal would give the Pirates more time to make a 40-man roster decision.
If Liriano is ready by opening day, that decision would be easy. The Pirates will eventually open a spot on the 40-man when they place Charlie Morton on the 60-day disabled list. That type of move usually takes place during the final weeks of Spring Training. If Liriano was on a typical minor league deal, the Pirates wouldn’t have to add him to the 40-man roster until after Morton was eligible for the 60-day DL.
We heard last week that the Pirates and Liriano agreed to an updated deal, with Liriano’s 2013 salary potentially being reduced if he misses time due to his right-arm injury. So far we haven’t heard an official announcement on that deal.
