We all know how the Twins acquired Francisco Liriano. Back in 2003, the Giants sent Liriano, Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser to Minnesota for A.J. Pierzynski in what would become one of the most significant trades of the decade. In honor of Liriano’s recent no-hitter, here’s a list of all the pitchers to throw no-hitters since 2005 and an explanation of how their teams acquired them:
- Anibal Sanchez – Traded from the Red Sox to the Marlins in 2005 (also in one of the decade’s most memorable deals).
- Justin Verlander – Selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2004 draft.
- Clay Buchholz – Selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2005 draft.
- Jon Lester – Selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 draft.
- Carlos Zambrano – Signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1997.
- Jonathan Sanchez – Selected by the Giants in the 27th round of the 2004 draft.
- Mark Buehrle (2 no-hitters) – Selected by the White Sox in the 38th round of the 1998 draft.
- Ubaldo Jimenez – Signed by the Rockies as an amateur free agent in 2002.
- Dallas Braden – Selected by the A's in the 24th round of the 2004 draft.
- Roy Halladay (2 no-hitters) – Traded from the Blue Jays to the Phillies in 2009
- Edwin Jackson – Traded from the Tigers to the D'Backs in 2009.
- Matt Garza – Traded from the Twins to the Rays in 2007
- Francisco Liriano – Traded from the Giants to the Twins in 2003.
