11:26am: Lincecum’s physical therapist says he’s set to begin throwing off a mound in the next week, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. “He’s throwing every day and says he’s doing great,” says his agent, Rick Thurman of Beverly Hills Sports Council. “He’s got no instability in his hip, and he’s enthusiastic about his progress.”
8:59am: Free agent starter Tim Lincecum hopes to hold a showcase in the first half of February, Jon Heyman tweets. Lincecum had surgery on to treat a degenerative hip condition in September, and it had previously been reported that Lincecum was planning to hold a showcase in January. The new February date would, then, suggest a delay, although the reasons for that delay are unknown. The Marlins are among the teams that have reportedly had interest in Lincecum.
Before being shut down midway through the season, Lincecum had posted a 4.13 ERA, although with a 7.1 K/9 and a high 4.5 BB/9 that were even less impressive than that modest ERA figure. His average fastball velocity also fell from 89.6 MPH in 2014 to 87.2 MPH, probably an untenable number for a righty. It remains to be seen whether Lincecum’s surgery will fix the issues that ailed him last season, but in any case, he’ll probably have to settle for a one-year deal from a team hoping he can recapture some percentage of his past glory as he enters his age-32 season. It has, however, been five years since Lincecum was a top starter, as he’s provided value consistent with that of a back-of-the-rotation starter since 2012.
The falloff was so dramatic for him, it seems that he may have been pitching through this injury the entire last 4 seasons. His meticulously crafted mechanics could have easily been thrown off by playing hurt, hence his poor results, I think out of anyone, he would be the one who could easily come back to top form for another couple season window before drifting to either a closer or back end guy role, if he is indeed 100%.
If be were willing to take a back end relief role he really wouldn’t need to fully regain form. Over the last few seasons be has been effective for the first few innings and then seems to fall apart.
Thats because of his hip….. If he was willing to take a back end relief role he really wouldn’t need to press the surgery as hes been pitching with that injury for years now… I don’t think Timmmmmay went through all this trouble to sit in the pen?
To feed off of what Just Another Fan was saying, if Timmy is even 60-70% of his old self, you’re looking at someone who has spent the last few years honing his off speed pitches. Couple that with an uptick or 3 on pitch speed and suddenly we’re looking at a completely different pitcher. One who now has a FB w/ returning velocity and a nice array of off-speed pitches. Oh and a whole new driving hip.
I’m a Tigers fan but I think it wouldn’t hurt the O’s to throw a 1 year at him.. Who agrees?
I think he makes sense as a SP for Balt, Phily, Atlanta, SD, Cincinnati, Colorado and Milwaukee, and as a RP teams for like Seattle, Yankees, Tigers, Jays, Twins, Giants, Dodgers, and whatever teams with not a lot of SP depth who could store him in the pen as a long man in case of injury to a SP. He’s got quite a market if his showcase goes well, just depends on how much money he wants. If he’s reasonable, like less than $5M, a ton of teams will be in on him.
I agree. He’s worth a flyer. And so are Fister and Cliff Lee IMO.
Megadro2000: As an O’s fan, I agree with your assessment. The Orioles have surpassed most local fans expectations this offseason in the signing of O’Day, Weiters, Trumbo, and Davis. However, our team still lost players from a .500 team last year. Even with their offseason to date, most can’t expect them to compete for the East unless their pitching comes together like 2014. For that to happen, they will need several of their current pitchers to over perform. If I was Angelos, I would sink money into Latos, Lincecum, and Fister and assume one will pitch to old form. If one of the three does well, and Tillman and Gausman pitch even slightly better than last year, the O’s have a decent shot at competing.
Would LOVE for the Red Sox to try for him or Lee.
It would be awesome for the Red Sox to get him or Lee just because I’m not sure I can trust anyone after Price and E-Rod
I think Buch and Porcello will be fine. I don’t trust to get much more then 150 innings of of Bucholz though. Lincy would be perfect. He could pitch for the 5th spot with all the other guys and if he doesn’t get it, he can pitch out of the pen.
Oh, PLEASE no. This guy has been a shell for 4 full seasons and lost velocity for 5. He can’t get any results at the biggest pitching favorable venue in the entire game (SF)? PLEASE don’t Boston sign him, unless it’s strictly a MiLB deal with zippo guarantees on anything.
Boston has and does give out contracts to guys like this, but to people with generally lower risk, or not as long of a record of being this dismal. Let someone else blow millions if he shows his arm hasn’t fallen off as of yet, Masterson showed his hadn’t last year, yet his velocity never came back either.
You are wrong about the Giants’ stadium being the most pitcher friendly park in the majors!
Pitcher coming off a major surgery….Seems like a perfect fit for Atlanta. We clearly need more pitching LOL. Atlanta will probably sign him before he even has this showcase haha.
All seriousness though it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Atlanta did try to sign him,
I believe a lot of teams will be in on him. He’s not that old yet and is willing to settle for a 1 or 2 year deal, plus he won’t be asking that much knowing he’s trying to improve his stock for next time he is a free agent. I wouldn’t be surprised if almost every team at least makes an offer.
He should come to Texas
Think SD would be a great fit – pitching coach is very good and could help re-invent his motion. Steps in as the Padres 3-4 starter
I see a really good fit with the Os. They definitely need another pitcher and between him and Vance Worley one can rise above and secure the 5 th spot in the rotation while the other can be the swing man out of the pen. Also if Timmy can thrive in the pen they could trade away Britton for a huge haul moving Oday into the closer role with Lincecum as the 7 th or 8 th inning guy.
If he shows well, and gets his velocity up, I’d like to see the Cubs show interest.
I believe they need another starter. Sign him to a 1 year deal. Who wouldn’t want to play for Maddon and on a team that is projected as a strong World Series contender for the next few seasons. Plus, Boscio is considered a very solid pitching coach. Come to Chicago, and win, and you’re golden.
Cubs already ruined Kerry wood and prior. Both should still be pitching today
How I long for the days of Generation K. Remember when Paul Wilson, Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen carried the Mets to the World Series … oh right, me neither.
Oh yeah that was the last time they were suppose to be dominant for years.
How many pitchers have other organizations destroyed down in the minors. Don’t just pick on one team not understanding the whole landscape. Stupid troll.
Klentak come on make it happen
I wish the Rangers would sign him but stupid Jon Daniels doesn’t want to make any moves that aren’t minor league deals
He won’t be too far from his home either so I think the Mariners seems like the best fit imo.
how he received the second cy young is beyond belief …… So overrated ….
Had a few good years then nothing