Around two thirds of the league reportedly had at least one scout on hand at Tim Lincecum‘s showcase last week, and SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee reports that one club came away with a favorable enough impression to offer Lincecum a guaranteed, Major League deal. That team is not the Giants, Brisbee adds, noting that the presence of a big league contract offer for Lincecum likely eliminates the chances of a reunion with his original team.
Among the teams that were reported to be in attendance at Lincecum’s showcase (in addition to the Giants) were the Rangers, Phillies, Dodgers, Twins, Tigers, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Brewers, Padres, Braves, Mariners and Cardinals. The Mets reportedly did not attend. Texas and San Francisco were said to be impressed by Lincecum’s showing, via Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. (The Rangers have been stockpiling affordable pitching depth.) The Yankees reportedly thought he looked “fine,” per NJ Advance Media’s Brendan Kuty.
An NL scout told the Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish that Lincecum’s breaking ball had a better shape than in recent years but questioned whether he had a true out pitch. Lincecum’s fastball velocity was widely reported be sitting in the 90-92 mph range, which would be a marked improvement from the 87 mph he averaged with his fastball in an ill-fated run with the Angels during his 2016 comeback bid.
At this point, it’s been more than a half decade since Lincecum was an above-average big league contributor, when he logged a pristine 2.74 ERA in more than 200 innings for the 2011 Giants. Since that time, he’s mustered just a 4.94 ERA in 654 Major League frames, battling through injuries, diminished velocity and diminished control as his home-run rate spiked.
Given those struggles and his absence from baseball entirely in 2017, it’s a bit surprising that someone would offer a 40-man roster spot and the promise of a guaranteed salary. The now-33-year-old certainly isn’t devoid of any upside, especially relative to the cost of acquisition, but a return as an upper-echelon pitcher is a decisive long shot.
Lincecum does have some name value with fans, though, and perhaps he could ultimately come back as a mid-rotation piece or an interesting reliever if he can sustain the low-90s velocity he reportedly displayed at last week’s workout. (He had some success pitching with similar velocity earlier this decade.) Any big league deal he signs would presumably contain a minimal guarantee and significant incentives based on his number of appearances (either games started or relief appearances, dependent on his role) and innings totals.
I’ll take him over Jordan Montgomery as the 5th man in the rotation
Them some goooood drugs huh?
Funny as hell
Must have been hitting the kush with Timmy
Kush doesn’t make you say dumb stuff
Of course it does.
Pretty sure the last time I hit the kush I felt my facial hair growing
I wouldn’t, but I’d like another lefty in the bullpen.
Why does Montgomery get so much hate? That guy was perfectly serviceable and arguably well above average, especially as a fifth starter. If Lincecum can match monty’s numbers from 2017, it would be a huge deal.
Lincecum hasn’t had an ERA+ above 93 since 2011 lol. He’s been horrible for a long time, so pretty much anyone is better than him at this point.
He’s had just one season where he’s been replacement level in that same timeframe, every other season he’s provided negative WAR.
The hate for Monty is delusional.
What a stupid comment
Looks like the angels aren’t in his thoughts.
And vice-versa. He was pretty terrible for the Angels and I definitely don’t want him back, as much as I am a big fan of his.
He was hard to watch when he was with the Angels. As much happy talk i am hearing about him these days i just can’t get his time in Anaheim out of my head. I do hope he makes it back tho
Angels were at his showcase so they seem somewhat interested. Probably only on a relief role
where did you read they were there? no reports i’ve seen listed the angels as in attendance
Pedro moura, covers angels for the athletic said angels had a scout there and heyman said their taking another look
Could well be the O’s.
Wow Lincecum getting a Major League deal would be the upset of the century. Good for him.
I’d say it’s going to be the Texas Rangers that sign Timmy Jim!
My money is on the Brewers or Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles … Number one!!!!
My thoughts also. Prob Brew crew or the orioles lol
Yep.
I see Orioles also. Major cost at this point is the spot on the 40 man roster. Financials will probably be very low base with incentives.
As a Brewer fan a guaranteed offer from them would surprise me a lot. There are lots of guys already competing for a few spots; giving out a guaranteed deal at this point seems silly, I haven’t necessarily agreed with everything David Stearns has done, but nothing he’s done seems silly or illogical. Of course, I’ve been wrong before.
Upside is he’d be cheap and he’s a winner. If he doesn’t work out oh well Nelson will be back and they dfa him
Hard to say when Nelson comes back – labrum injuries aren’t the easiest to return from. There are several other options already available on the roster that look better than Timmy – or at least more likely to be better. I wish him well.
You’re dreaming if you think Nelson comes back anywhere near his 2017 levels. Not just this year but ever. Labrum surgery is a career changer no matter the “early throwing” rhetoric.
Probably the Cardinals.. the way they have been doing things this off season. Makes perfect sense
I’m really afraid you’re going to be right
Me too. DeWitt and Moz are known for their dumpster diving. Sometime they turn up some gems …but too often not. After being burned badly with high dollar contracts for Cecil and Leake it makes sense that they will be going on the cheap again. What’s a shame is they have the foundation of a real contender on offense but their pitching is going to hold them back again to another 3rd place finish that is closer to the Reds than either the Cubs or Brewers
What’s painful about it is that they are sitting on a mountain of money and a farm system that’s loaded but it seems like they are frittering away a good chance of contending.
Lineup would have to carry them into the postseason the way the team is set up now but even than, it’s not a lineup that is going to score enough runs to keep up with the rest of teams or makeup what the rotation/bullpen gives up. Plus who in that lineup scares an opposing pitcher? Ozuna is legit but not on a intentional walk him basis. Carpenter wasn’t as good last year. DeJong and Pham have potential but they need to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. All in all, I agree with you that the Cardinals are behind Cubs and Brewers but, you have to respect them and a possible Lincecum deal could at the very least take a load off of some of the younger guys in their rotation
They wouldn’t offer a guaranteed deal
Yeah this sounds like a typical bargain basement move. But the guaranteed spot would be out of character. Come on guys resign Lynn. He’s worth more than any second round pick you’d get as compensation
Phillies
Please, no. That isn’t the pitching addition the Phillies need.
This wouldn’t be addressing the Phillies needs, but it’s a great low buy, sell high reward the Phillies have been aiming for. I actually like it, considering it wouldn’t cost them much (as long as they sign a premium starter). If they were shutting the door after this, than yes that would be pretty horrific
I just don’t see the reward , only a distraction. Tim started his decline when his velocity dropped in 2012 to 91.5….right where he was clocked in his showcase. His 2016 showcase had him in the 91 range until he was signed and he dropped to 88+ range. I know he is said to be in better shape etc….etc…. If they want a low risk project there are others without as many question marks.
It wouldn’t be costing them much (what? League minimum?). Your not signing him to be the Tim we knew in the late 2000’s. He’d be a great clubhouse guy, and could really help the younger guys
greg maddox didn’t have an out pitch
Greg Maddox knew how to pitch without one
His control command was 80 plus you need that to be as dominate as he was without a plus plus pitch
here we are, comparing Tim Linceum to Greg Maddux. Society has really fallen.
wasn’t comparing them, just letting the writer know not every pitcher has an out pitch
Well don’t tell the writer, tell the scout that he’s quoting
scout has been notified
fact.
In his prime, every pitch for Greg Maddux was an out pitch. No he didn’t blow anyone away but he could get those outs. He was extremely difficult to hit since he had all kinds if up and down and side to side movement on every pitch. Interestingly he had quite a few strike outs.
Giants, time to swoop in
Did… Did you read the article?
Did Yu?
oh, watson
Darvish probably didn’t read this, no.
Did…did you see our rotation?
My best guess would be the Braves or Pirates at league minimum loaded with a minimum of $2.0m of incentives. Throw in a small roster bonus as well for making the opening day roster.
Dodgers.
Dipoto… steer clear!
Play DAMJAT ….. HUE-MUHN
I GET THAT REFERENCE! It has no bearing on this article, but hey, I get it. (and it’s spelled Dom-jot…sheesh)
He’s headed to Texas. They will try him out in the 6 man rotation that Bannister so badly wants.
Just made the news…. Timmy to sign with the Rangers.
I feel like it will be the Mariners after Erasmus Ramirez going down. He’s from the Seattle area and was working out in the area. I see a pretty good fit there.
Padres
The Rangers, betcha it’s the Rangers
Joe Blanton is still pitching, why not Timmay
Ah, ye old mystery team! The mystery team must have a crappy GM cause just about every top flight FA has been linked to them but you never hear of a signiing 🙂
PS. Hope Tim is finally healthy again and his velocity back up some and “stuff” back to where it was. . If he is, could be a steal for the team that signs him.
Idk why but my guts telling me it’s the Dodgers lol
Agreed!
Totally dude.
So glad my Tribe has a solid rotation.
Rooting for Timmy to have a big year. Not likely, but how awesome would that be? It would be cool to have him in a Braves jersey, but I’m not sure I’d like to see him blocking all of the young arms coming up.
Can’t imagine why the Braves would want him unless they were thinking of trading a pitcher if he works out. They only have 2 rotation spots for multiple prospects and I would think they would want these open to encourage development at the major league level. Guess you can never have too much pitching but really, they have at least 15 starters available (including all their prospects who could pitch in Atlanta obviously).
This has the Padres written all over it…
It makes sense for both sides. SD has a shaky rotation and really doesn’t have much to lose and everything to gain by gambling modestly on a 1-year deal with the possibility Lincecum resurrects his magic. Lincecum would get every opportunity to succeed on a rebuilding team and a pitcher’s Park.
Agreed.
He’s from Seattle area. It’s the Mariners
Sounds more like a planted story to drum up interest. No one is going to give a guy who is cooked and out of the league for a year a guaranteed contract after one showing. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets multiple offers for a minor league contract. He is a perfect risk stash at AAA.
Is the braves
It was just reported that the Reds signed him
By whom? Other than you of course. No proof at all for such claims btw.
The White Sox would make sense as such an option. Their rotaion projects to be “projectile vomit worthy”.
My guess is competing for the 5th spot in the rotation for the Tigers.
I’d have to believe it was a team not expecting to do much in hopes he can do well and they can flip him
Mystery Team is gonna be good if they land all these FAs.
I find this report of a guaranteed deal dubious. If it is true, it has to be to a tire fire like the Tigers otherwise he would have pulled the trigger instantly.
It’s probably Texas.
Padres take him on a minor league deal. If he fails, they can release him. If he does good, they can trade him for minor league players that could make a impact in the future.
I for one will rooting for Lincecum and tuning in wherever he lands. I don’t expect him to get people out like he did in his prime. But it should be fun to watch.
If they don’t say the team it’s fake news
I’d guess Texas, SD or Baltimore.
Pretty sad this guy is going to get a job over countless young guys that deserve a shot. Id bet anything he doesnt have under a 5 era.
He’ll more than likely be a spot starter with more appearances coming out of the bullpen unless there are a rash of injuries to whichever teams rotation he’ll be playing for. If he makes the opening day roster.
Hopefully its the Cardinals. That would mean at some point in the season they could have a rotation of a combination of Martinez, Wacha, Mikolas, Norris, Wainwright and Lincecum
This feels like a marlins thing. Driving off a cliff.
TheAfter seeing his comfort level and confidence in an angels uniform, I believe an injured rabbit would fare better against a snake in the deep and desolate woods – than for Timmy to fix that confidence lol so yea Phillies should pass. It would be nice to see him at a cy young level again and it’s nice the velocity is up but I don’t want him to fall apart in Philly – and they have a ton of backend rotation options .. Orioles are a good fit for a 5th spot or bullpen job if his confidence works.
I readits not Baltimore. After the Tillman signing they said they are now content with having Gausman, Bundy, Cashner, Tillman and Wright
If it’s not the A’s I’d be shocked
Orioles maybe
Why not Miami? They already said f this season and seem to be getting rid of all assets worth keeping….Rehabilitate with 0 pressure down on South Beach. Sign a 1 year deal aNd see what ya got left pressure free….that’s what I’d be looking for if I was Lincecum
Hos AND the Freak! This World Series gonna be a breeze!
Reds
Well they did take a flier on Arroyo last year.
the freak is back
Padres offered him a 5 year deal.