PITTSBURGH — 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 we’ve created,” Huntington said. “It speaks to the man in Francisco. He enjoyed being a Pirate. He’s 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 finalized the agreement Friday, three days after reaching the deal. Liriano went 23-18 with a 3.20 ERA for Pittsburgh the past two seasons.