As if Francisco Liriano’s situation wasn’t already strange, his new contract adds a twist. The left-hander previously agreed to a two-year, $12.75 M deal. After his fall in the bathroom, Liriano’s deal was revised, and finally made official today. The new agreement was a one year deal with a vesting option for 2014. Tom Singer was the first to mention that Liriano’s new deal only guarantees him $1 M in 2013.
That bathroom fall cost Liriano quite a sum: Per sources, his deal guaranteed for $1M (from original $12.75M) with $11.75M in option/bonuses
— Tom Singer (@Tom_Singer) February 9, 2013
Bill Brink had more details, which are outlined in his article on the Post-Gazette. The basics:
**Liriano could earn an additional $3.75 M in 2013 based on days spent on the DL.
**Liriano has an $8 M option in 2014 that could vest at $5 M, $6 M, or $8 M, depending on his 2013 DL time.
**If his deal vests for less than $8 M in 2014, he can make up the difference based on games started in 2014.
So Liriano only gets $1 M guaranteed over one year now, as opposed to $12.75 M guaranteed over two years. He’ll have to earn the rest of his contract, and the only way to do that is to remain healthy.
The 40-man payroll page has been updated with the new details. Also, the Pirates outrighted Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Liriano.
