Pirates, Liriano finalize contract on two year deal?

It appears Francisco Liriano will be a Pittsburgh Pirate after all or at least that’s where things are moving.

The Pirates and Liriano have reworked their previous two year agreement, a team source confirmed saying some final “language” is being put in place before the team will make an official announcement.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports Liriano will get the original 2 year, $12.75 million contract if he doesn’t miss any time due to a right arm injury he suffered in December. The Pirates pulled the offer in early January but remained in contact with Liriano’s agent throughout the process.

Liriano had been targeted to go into the season as the Pirates No. 3 starter. If Liriano is healthy to start the year, the Pirates figure to go with a top-4 in the rotation of A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, Liriano, and James McDonald, with Jeff Karstens, Jeff Locke and Kyle McPherson battling for the final spot and as insurance for McDonald not finding his form from first half of 2012 season or Liriano not being healthy.