Tim Lincecum is open to the idea of a long-term deal, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. The 25-year-old righty says he'd consider a multi-year deal if the Giants approach him about one.
"I definitely like San Francisco," Lincecum said. "I've seen nothing but positive things as far as my personal experiences. It's where I see myself being for a while."
If the Giants decide to extend the reigning Cy Young winner, there won't be many precedents off of which to base a deal. After all, few pitchers win Cy Youngs in both of their first full seasons. Lincecum has an ERA of 2.47 and a league-high 247 strikeouts over the course of his 211.1 innings pitched, so he's a leading Cy Young candidate once again.
Lincecum will be a super two player this offseason, so he's about to hit arbitration for the first time. Fellow super two Cole Hamels signed a three-year deal worth $20.5MM last offseason, so Lincecum's agent, Rick Thurman, will be in position to demand at least that much if the sides start negotiating. Lincecum, who is on track to become a free agent after 2013, could conceivably demand Zack Greinke money ($38MM) to cover his four years of arbitration. Greinke's deal bought out two of his free agent years, but Lincecum can demand a precedent-setting deal since he has established himself as one of the game's best.
