Francisco Liriano realized he was ripe to be traded, with the Minnesota Twins out of the race and his contract expiring at the end of the season.

He didn't expect to wind up with the division rival Chicago White Sox.

But that's where he is, and for an interesting twist to the end of his vexing tenure with the Twins the talented yet inconsistent left-hander will find his new team facing his old club this week at Target Field.

Liriano said Sunday on a conference call that he's excited to help the first-place White Sox finish strong down the stretch and win the AL Central.

He was traded by the Twins on Saturday for a pair of prospects, shortstop Eduardo Escobar and left-handed pitcher Pedro Hernandez.