Today's 2 cents: Is Liriano fit for the Big Apple?

If you've been fascinated -- either in an intrigued way or a disgusted way -- by the Twins' willingness to entertain offers for pitcher Francisco Liriano ever since it became part of the landscape a couple of weeks ago, perhaps you should add this notion to the mix:

If the Twins are serious about listening to possible deals involving Francisco Liriano, the Yankees have the potential to be the best suitor. If the prospect of trading the Twins' best pitcher to New York is too much to stomach over an otherwise pleasant morning cup of coffee, we will understand. But know this:

The Yankees were banking hard on getting lefthander Cliff Lee in the offseason. That didn't happen. They surely had a hunch that Andy Pettitte might retire, but that's another at least middle-of-the-rotation lefthander the Yankees could have penciled into the rotation.

Instead, they have CC Sabathia clearly at the top. From there, the Yankees are hoping for a bounceback year from A.J. Burnett and wondering if Phil Hughes -- who was lit up by the Rangers in two ALCS starts last year -- is more of a No. 2 starter or a No. 4 starter. Beyond that, they're hoping Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and/or Mark Prior can recapture some magic. In other words, they're potentially desperate for a top-flight lefthanded starter.

In addition, the Yankees have by many accounts a pretty strong minor league system right now. MLB Fanhouse recently rated it the No. 4 farm system in baseball for 2011 (the Twins were 10th, by the way). There are top prospects -- and potentially major league-ready players -- to be had in return.

Maybe this isn't the time to do it. Maybe you would never entertain the notion of trading Liriano ... or any valuable Twins player ... or a pair of socks ... or a breath of air ... to the Yankees.

Just consider it food for expanded thought if you can choke it down.

MICHAEL RAND