PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Pirates wanted to keep Francisco Liriano at the top end of their rotation so badly they offered the left-handed pitcher the most lucrative free agent contract in team history.General manager Neal Huntington thinks the fact Liriano agreed to a $39 million, three-year deal so quickly serves as proof that the Pirates have established themselves as a legitimate threat in the NL Central.It speaks to the culture weve created, Huntington said. It speaks to the man in Francisco. He enjoyed being a Pirate. Hes comfortable. He wants to compete and win. I think it speaks volumes about (manager) Clint Hurdle, (pitching coach) Ray Searage, our strength and medical staff and his teammates, the guys weve put around him.The finalized the agreement Friday, three days after reaching the deal at the winter meetings. Liriano went 23-18 with a 3.20 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2013 and 2014, helping the franchise reach consecutive playoff berths for the first time in over 20 years.Liriano declined a $15.3 million qualifying offer last month, and the Pirates would have received a compensatory draft pick if Liriano had signed elsewhere. While Huntington allowed it was a good idea to protect the team, he doesnt think the pick scared off would-be suitors.We did not get any indication that the qualifying offer was impacting his market or impacting his interest, Huntington said. We valued it in the process but we valued Francisco more.Liriano will work at the top end of a rotation that includes Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett, who re-signed with Pittsburgh last month after spending 2014 in Philadelphia. Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, Brandon Cumpton and Vance Worley will also be in the mix at some point for a starting spot. The Pirates do not appear to be serious suitors for Edinson Volquez, who went 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA in Pittsburgh last year.Its one of those things well never stop looking, but if the season were to start today, we have more than five guys we feel comfortable starting games, Huntington said.Particularly if Liriano continues his career revival. Signed as a flier two years ago, Liriano has found a home in Pittsburgh. He was vital to the teams run to a wild card berth in 2014, shaking off a strained oblique to go 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in September.He was lights out, Huntington said.Pittsburgh also agreed to a one-year contract with 31-year-old right-hander Radhames Liz, who was 3-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 12 starts for Torontos Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo this year and is 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA in five starts with Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League. To clear a roster spot, right-hander Josh Lindblom was designated for assignment. 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Cilic cruised to victory, beating the seventh-seeded Seppi 6-1, 6-3 in just 72 minutes. He faced only one break point, winning 24 out of 29 points played on the first serve. CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Cristie Kerr made a 55-foot par-saving putt after hitting her final approach into the water Saturday at Aviara, giving her a share of the Kia Classic lead with Lizette Salas. Kerr finished with a 2-under 70 to match Salas at 10-under 206. After dropping a stroke on the par-5 17th, Kerr holed out from the edge of the green on the par-4 18th after taking a penalty drop. "Obviously, it was the worst shot I could have hit and then it was the best shot I could have hit," Kerr said. "So go figure, thats golf. It was pretty amazing. It is really one of those moments that you just remember for a lifetime. I was just trying to get it close. Usually thats when those go in." Kerr won the Kingsmill Championship last year for her 16th LPGA Tour title. "I hit two hooks on 17 in a row," Kerr said. "That hole owes me tomorrow. That hole owes me tomorrow, big time." Salas, the former Southern California player from Azusa, had a 69. She birdied the par-5 17th for a share of the lead and matched Kerr with a par on the last. Salas was followed by a spirited gallery wearing "Team Salas" shirts as she tries to win her first LPGA Tour title. "Im just really trying to capitalize on the par 5s," Salas said. "Just staying patient. Thats really my key this week is to stay pattient, even though Im in trouble, like on No.dddddddddddd 13, where I hit it into the bunker." She got up-and-down for par, and didnt let a bogey on No. 15 -- her first of the tournament -- bring her down. "One bogey out of three days is not a bad thing," Salas said. Dori Carter, the second-round leader after a course-record 64, had a 74 to drop into a tie for third at 8 under with Thailand winner Anna Nordqvist, Ayako Uehara and Shanshan Feng. "Overall I handled my nerves pretty well," Carter said. "It was my first time playing in the final group." Nordqvist and Uehara shot 67, and Feng had a 69. "I started off really solid," Nordqvist said. "I think the back nine is playing a little tougher, but I hung tough and made a silly mistake on 16. But other than that, Im really happy with my round." Third-ranked Stacy Lewis was 7 under after a 73. She had two late bogeys. DIVOTS: One of the tournaments most bizarre shots came Saturday from Yani Tseng on the par 4 No. 18. Tseng sprayed her approach shot left, deep into the bleacher hugging the green. The ball ricocheted around and spit out, landing on the green where Tseng, the 2012 winner, pared the hole. ... Michelle Wie and 16-year-old Lydia Ko were in a group tied for 28th at 3 under. Wie had a 70, and Ko shot 71. ' ' '