Giants GM Brian Sabean told Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News that he doubts there will be talks with Tim Lincecum about a contract extension during the season (Twitter links). He added that "you never say never," but it would require "more of a meeting of the minds."
Lincecum is in the second year of a two-year, $23MM contract he signed before last season, but he'll remain under team control in both 2012 and 2013 as an arbitration-eligible player. He'll earn $13MM this season, so his starting point is high for a player with under five years of service time. Of course Lincecum is no ordinary player. He won the Cy Young Award in each of his first two full seasons, and he's led the league in strikeouts in each of the last three seasons.
Sabean also mentioned that the extension for Freddy Sanchez came together rather quickly, and that Cody Ross wanted multiple years when the two sides talked about a deal.
It’s gonna take $23MM annually if it’s long-term. I’d guess it’d have to be at least 7 years/$161MM, same as Sabathia’s contract.
As good as Lincecum is, he may (unfairly) have issues EVER getting a team to commit big years to him just because of his size and delivery. I reiterate the unfairly part; it just is what it is. But he will get paid, no matter what the length of the deal.
Verlander had more strikeouts than Timmy in 09.
But he’s in the other league.
5 years $110 and it sets him up for another huge payday after.
Now if only he would lose that stupid tie he wears.
…and those dumb phiten necklaces.
His price will go up every year. The Giants need to sign him now. He is as good as it gets.