MINNEAPOLIS -- New pitcher Francisco Liriano was still in on shock on Monday, a little less than 48 hours after the White Sox acquired him in a trade.
As he addressed the media from the visiting dugout at Target Field, Liriano, who will start here against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, couldnt get over the surprising nature of a trade that sent him from one side of an American League Central rivalry to the other.
Liriano said he was about to fall asleep on Saturday night in preparation for a Sunday start against the Cleveland Indians when the phone rang to inform him he had been traded. Liriano stayed in Minneapolis on Sunday and merely moved his belongings down the hall at Target Field to meet his new teammates.
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Everything feels weird, Liriano said. Its just surprising. I was ready to go to bed and got the phone call around 10:30 (p.m.). I was in shock, I wasnt expecting it to get traded, the night before the game and get traded to the same division was weird, too. But things happen.
Lirianos new catcher understands what his pitcher is experiencing.
A.J. Pierzynskis move to the White Sox came more than a full season after he was traded by the Twins to the San Francisco Giants. Pierzynski had an offseason to adapt to the idea but admits it still felt funny at first.
When I first walked into SoxFest after I had signed, I remember looking at my wife and saying This is weird looking at all the White Sox stuff, Pierzynski said. But once I got to know the guys and the organization it was a pretty easy transition after that.
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Pierzynski said he plans to speak with Liriano after Mondays game to start a plan for Tuesday, when Liriano faces the only major league team for whom he has ever pitched just to ease him in.
Im sure well talk probably tonight after the game, what he likes to do and how he likes to pitch, Pierzynski said. Hes been an All-Star, hes thrown a no-hitter, hes been good against us so well focus on the positives and go from there. He can be a factor in this race.
Liriano said he doesnt plan to change anything he has done on the mound. After a difficult start in April, one he attributed Sunday to putting too much pressure on himself, Liriano believes he is better than his 3-10 record and 5.31 ERA indicate. Liriano has struck out a 9.81 batters per nine innings this season, his highest since 2006, which would indicate his stuff isnt an issue.
He estimates he knows seven of his new teammates well, including Orlando Hudson, Philip Humber and Jesse Crain, all of whom played with him in Minnesota. Now he needs to focus on contributions and familiarizing himself with a new club even though the transition will be strange.
I havent done my game plan yet, Liriano said. It feels so weird. I faced the White Sox so many times. So weird. Nothing I can do about it, just do my job and try to fit in.