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Tim Lincecum Planning Showcase For MLB Teams

By Steve Adams | December 19, 2017 at 5:55pm CDT

After sitting out the 2017 season, right-hander Tim Lincecum is working out with the trainers at Driveline Baseball and will showcase for interested teams “in the near future,” per an announcement from Driveline (on Twitter). Intrigue around Lincecum picked up earlier today when fellow Driveline client Adam Ottavino posted a picture of Lincecum on Instagram.

Lincecum looks to be in excellent physical condition, though it’s certainly best to temper expectations regarding his ability to contribute on the field. Lincecum didn’t pitch in the Majors, minors or in any other professional capacity in 2017, and his 2016 run with the Angels following 2015 hip surgery was an unmitigated disaster.

In Lincecum’s last run through MLB, he logged a 9.16 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 5.4 BB/9 and a staggering 2.58 HR/9 through 38 1/3 innings with the Halos. His average fastball in that time was just 87.7 mph — nearly seven full miles per hour off he 94.2 mph that he averaged as a 23-year-old rookie one decade ago.

Yahoo’s Jeff Passan tweets that Lincecum is “throwing hard again,” though he didn’t put a specific number on the two-time NL Cy Young winner’s velocity at present. Restored velocity, of course, could be a huge boon for Lincecum, who’ll turn 34 next June. Lincecum established himself as one of the game’s most dominant pitchers quickly after debuting and held that status from 2008-11 before beginning to decline in 2012. Perhaps not surprisingly, the first significant drop-off in performance for Lincecum came when his average fastball plummeted from 92.3 mph in 2011 to 90.4 mph in 2012.

Lincecum figures to be of some degree of interest to most clubs, as there’d be little reason not to at least have a scout or two watch a workout to see if there’s any indications of a potential return to form. It’d be unrealistic to hope for his 2008-09 dominance (2.55 ERA, 10.5 K/9, back-to-back Cy Young Awards), but a rejuvenated Lincecum could conceivably contribute to a big league rotation all the same.

Presumably, he’ll field predominantly minor league offers, though it’s possible that he drums up enough interest to secure a 40-man roster spot with a low base salary and a healthy pile of incentives based on appearances and/or innings pitched. By the time Opening Day rolls around, it will have been six full seasons since “The Freak” was an above-average contributor in a Major League rotation, though recent resurgences from the likes of Scott Kazmir and Rich Hill (among others) serve as reminders that it’s virtually never too late to rule out a comeback — especially for a player that won’t turn 34 until next summer.

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Tim Lincecum

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73 comments
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Comments

  1. RiverCatsFilms

    3 years ago

    Take 2… hopefully Giants give him a minor league deal

    8 Like
    Reply
    • jordan4giants

      3 years ago

      Yes!! Now that Moore is gone, what harm could there be in giving him a shot. Plus with Cain gone, could use a dose of 2010 nostalga.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Wolf Chan

      3 years ago

      if he will work in the pen it wouldn’t be a bad idea

      1 Like
      Reply
    • brucewayne

      3 years ago

      Stick a fork in him!

      Like
      Reply
  2. kcusgnikcufsregdod

    3 years ago

    Bring him back to SF

    2 Like
    Reply
  3. kyletaylor2322

    3 years ago

    Signs with Rockies

    Like
    Reply
    • DimitriInLA

      3 years ago

      Orioles

      2 Like
      Reply
    • cakirby

      3 years ago

      The worst idea of the off-season goes to…

      Like
      Reply
  4. bastros88

    3 years ago

    he’s been hitting the gym, holy cow, he’s big

    Like
    Reply
  5. Stevie Boy

    3 years ago

    Price of weed must have gone up significantly!!

    2 Like
    Reply
    • montana blue

      3 years ago

      My guess is his downfall was caused from a lot more than just weed….

      2 Like
      Reply
      • cxcx

        3 years ago

        Actually I think smoking weed every day is enough to ruin an athletic career, particularly if the person is a phenomenal athletic to begin with.

        Like
        Reply
        • retire21

          3 years ago

          ?

          Like
          Reply
        • bkwalker510

          3 years ago

          I’d take Lincecum’s career over most pitchers’…

          Like
          Reply
        • Dodgethis

          3 years ago

          Actually, lincecum didn’t start to struggle until he quit smoking after getting in trouble. Weed didn’t ruin his career, it helped it. The medieval marijuana laws in this country ruined his career. Some people need different things to make it click in their head. That’s why there are tens of thousands of different drugs. Take your 1940s self off the internet.

          9 Like
          Reply
        • Joe Kerr

          3 years ago

          Amen!

          Like
          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          3 years ago

          I don’t think it hurt or helped his career.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • DimitriInLA

          3 years ago

          Wow, that sounds really intelligent — “the laws” ruined his career. He of course had nothing to do with it.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • Dodgethis

          3 years ago

          Yes, prohibiting a useful natural medication that does actually help people just so some pharmaceutical companies can make a profit off unnecessary chemical based medications does hurt a lot of people’s careers, not just athletes.

          5 Like
          Reply
        • BackUpBullpenCatcher

          3 years ago

          Wait so Lincecum smoked weed in preparation for his starts or when?

          Like
          Reply
        • Mattimeo09

          3 years ago

          Nobody has any hard proof either way.

          Like
          Reply
        • brucewayne

          3 years ago

          Finally someone with a brain speaks!

          Like
          Reply
    • ck420

      3 years ago

      He made a 100 mil in his career

      Like
      Reply
  6. thesheriffisnear

    3 years ago

    Best of luck, Tim. Would be a good comeback story.

    1 Like
    Reply
  7. acerulli1

    3 years ago

    No expectations, but would be so cool if he managed at least one more solid/strong season.

    He was always fun to watch; it is a shame how quickly things fell apart for him; and as a fan of the opposition, I always hated when the Phillies faced him, which is about the highest praise I can give.

    His 2 head-to-head matchups with Roy Halladay in the 2010 NLCS were classic. (Still can’t believe Doc is gone.)

    3 Like
    Reply
  8. zachattack

    3 years ago

    He deserves to come back

    Like
    Reply
  9. Yankeepatriot

    3 years ago

    I used to love watching him pitch when espn had him on tv or when he faced the Mets. His body type screamed his type of regression sadly. Hopefully he can reinvent himself !

    Like
    Reply
    • vpolite

      3 years ago

      Omar Vizquel, who was Timmie’s SS for several reasons, said the same thing.

      Like
      Reply
  10. Chromimw

    3 years ago

    I’ll be interested to see if he adjusted his mechanics. It was always said that once he hit the wall with his mechanics, the fall would be steep, and that proved true. Never been a big fan, but with all he accomplished, a chance to finish his career on a much brighter not would be cool to see. Wish him luck in his efforts.

    Like
    Reply
  11. lilpartialbaldo

    3 years ago

    Heard he was revving it up to like 83 on the gun. Sounds intriguing.

    Like
    Reply
  12. Deke

    3 years ago

    If Timmy is back in decent form SF would be insane not to sign him on a minors deal. They need all the depth they can get.

    Like
    Reply
  13. keepinthafaithsd1

    3 years ago

    Just the type of guy the Padres need to sign. Minor league contract invite to spring training and incentives.

    Like
    Reply
  14. driftcat28

    3 years ago

    Dude is shredded now lol

    Like
    Reply
    • shoheiohtahnyy

      3 years ago

      This. Wonder what “supplements” he’s taking.

      Like
      Reply
      • driftcat28

        3 years ago

        Could it just be exercise and protein? Maybe hard work and a desire to compete?

        Like
        Reply
      • xtraflamy

        3 years ago

        @shoheiotahnyy – he’s always been capable of this level of fitness. there are pictures of him with his shirt off while he was still with the Giants where we was very muscular.

        Like
        Reply
  15. tim815

    3 years ago

    Every team should want him on a minor-league deal.

    So, save your team sounding special.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • TwinsHomer

      3 years ago

      Agreed Tim.

      Like
      Reply
  16. cards81

    3 years ago

    Should have never received his second Cy Young…wainwright was ripped off

    1 Like
    Reply
    • vtadave

      3 years ago

      Not quite. Lincecum had a lower ERA, WHIP, much higher K rate, and a similar walk rate. Wainwright wasn’t even the best pitcher on his own team that year.

      4 Like
      Reply
    • RytheStunner

      3 years ago

      Um, no. The ONLY statistical advantage that Wainwright had over Lincecum was 8 more innings pitched. Lincecum had him smoked in ERA, ERA+, WHIP, K, etc.

      2 Like
      Reply
  17. wbraves29

    3 years ago

    Big Time Timmy Jim! Good luck!

    Like
    Reply
  18. aj5258

    3 years ago

    This would be a great one year fit for the White Sox.

    Like
    Reply
    • tim815

      3 years ago

      MLB deal?

      Like
      Reply
    • dbacksrs

      3 years ago

      This years Derek Holland.

      Like
      Reply
      • vpolite

        3 years ago

        Exactly the same except for the fact one has a history of being ok, and the other was dominant.

        Like
        Reply
  19. JackOfDiamonds

    3 years ago

    If Lincecum can reinvent himself as at least a high leverage reliever, he might have a few years left in the tank. But any team that signs him has to put him in the pen. I just don’t see him as a starter at this stage of his career.

    2 Like
    Reply
  20. Realtexan

    3 years ago

    Timmy rates right up there with Derek Holland. Both deserves to be in either AA or AAA ball somewhere. Both has washed up and past there prime. Maybe a long shot as a middle of pen piece. Maybe let them go to Japan or Korea and play.

    Like
    Reply
  21. sfg415sfc

    3 years ago

    TIMMAY!!! Minor League Contract.. C’mon Giants. Take the chance on an unknown kid. Who isn’t a kid. And owns multiple Cy Youngs & WS rings… okay not unknown. Sign him as a RP

    Like
    Reply
  22. lee smith

    3 years ago

    Washed

    1 Like
    Reply
  23. Marytown1

    3 years ago

    The Brewers will give him a contract and than try to get Geritol as a sponsor for Yo and Tim.

    Like
    Reply
  24. chesteraarthur

    3 years ago

    downvote

    Like
    Reply
  25. slide

    3 years ago

    i see a lot of lincecum in luke weaver. a good two or so years, then the burnout

    Like
    Reply
  26. xD2V

    3 years ago

    If he touches 92, Marlins should sign him to a minor league contract. If he doesn’t pan out, not a problem.

    Like
    Reply
  27. Phillies7459

    3 years ago

    Please philly ! Give him a shot !

    Like
    Reply
    • T_Rexx2

      3 years ago

      I agree, they have no one past Nola. Can’t hurt on a minor league deal.

      Like
      Reply
  28. redsfan48

    3 years ago

    Seems like the type of pitcher the Reds would try to get on a MiLB deal

    Like
    Reply
  29. padam

    3 years ago

    Seriously, I thought it was a joke when I first saw this…

    Like
    Reply
    • mdunkel

      3 years ago

      It is a joke

      Like
      Reply
  30. mlb1225

    3 years ago

    A rebuilding team should sign him to help bridge the gap for prospects to the majors. Basically be an innings eater.

    Like
    Reply
  31. Rickey O'Sunnyvale

    3 years ago

    Dodgers have room on the 40-man. hee hee ho ho ha ha!!!

    Like
    Reply
  32. beisbol1976

    3 years ago

    Is it really a showcase if your fastball is 82mph? Lol

    Like
    Reply
  33. vpolite

    3 years ago

    Boy, everyone wants to trash Tim before he even trys out.

    3 Like
    Reply
  34. melotticus

    3 years ago

    I think we can narrow down his ideal potential teams to SF, SD, OAK, LAD, LAA, SEA, COL, BOS, and WAS. Why? Each of these teams is in a state (or district) where weed has been legalized recreationally.

    Like
    Reply
  35. mdunkel

    3 years ago

    Same song different tune. Move on already.

    Like
    Reply
  36. OCTraveler

    3 years ago

    Great signing for Padres – comes in as number 2-3 in their rotation

    Like
    Reply
    • halos101

      3 years ago

      relax there traveler don’t get ahead of yourself here

      Like
      Reply
  37. halos101

    3 years ago

    Prime Lincecum was as fun as any pitcher was to watch. The angels version of him was brutal to watch, so i wish him the best. Hopefully he can become serviceable at least. Dude is jacked now.

    Like
    Reply
  38. TMoneyDogVIP

    3 years ago

    I would truly like to see him come back and have success, be able to finish his career the way he wants.

    Like
    Reply
  39. frogger6

    3 years ago

    this fits with the brewers off season thus far: trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

    Like
    Reply
  40. frogger6

    3 years ago

    this fits with the brewers off season thus far: trying to catch lightning in a bottle. might as well take a look.

    Like
    Reply
  41. Solaris601

    3 years ago

    I’d love to see the successful comeback of Big Time Timmy Jim in 2018. Baltimore should be first in line as they STILL have only 2/5 of a rotation in place for next year.

    Like
    Reply
  42. cjuluca

    3 years ago

    Timmy is hitting 92 on the gun.

    Like
    Reply

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