Former Minnesota Twins stud pitcher Francisco Liriano lost Monday night and fell to a Barry Zito-esque 5–12 record and a 5.80 ERA. Liriano doesn’t seem to have fully regained his former 2006 form after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2008.

As painful as it is to admit about a former San Francisco Giants player, Liriano’s struggles provide vindication to current Giants GM Brian Sabean who was much criticized in trading him in the ill-fated deal for A J. Pierzynski in 2003. Sure, Sabean also traded away now-star closer Joe Nathan, but now he shouldn’t feel as tormented over the oft-injured former Dominican prospect being a throw-in.

The worry of having to deal with an injury-prone pitcher wasn’t worth it, no matter how talented. Just ask the Chicago Cubs in how much they struggled trying to fit Mark Prior and Kerry Wood into their plans for all those contending years.

The Giants have struggled in the post–Barry Bonds years, but now with the team winning (a 64–54 record thanks to Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Pablo Sandoval) and being playoff contenders, Sabean can now operate under a mandate-free ownership.

[photo via Every Joe]