The Rangers have granted right-hander Tim Lincecum his release, as MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan was among those to tweet. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports first broke the news that the team had decided not to promote Lincecum to the big leagues, leaving him with the choice of accepting a Triple-A assignment or granting him his release (Twitter link).
Texas signed Lincecum to a one-year, Major League deal that came with a $1MM guarantee back in March, but blister issues slowed his path back to a mound. He’s been ramping up after missing much of the early portion of the season, but things haven’t gone especially well in Triple-A Round Rock. Lincecum has totaled 12 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, yielding eight earned runs on 14 hits and nine walks with 10 strikeouts in that time.
Now, the 33-year-old former Cy Young winner will have to explore other options as he seeks to return to the Majors for the first time since a brief, ill-fated tenure with the Angels in 2016. Lincecum endured a precipitous decline during which he saw his fastball velocity plummet before ultimately requiring a major hip surgery that has prevented him from since reestablishing himself at the big league level. He’d been working exclusively as a reliever with the Rangers organization, and it seems likely that he’ll continue on that path if he ultimately latches on with a new organization.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels had nothing but praise for the amount of effort Lincecum put into his comeback attempt, telling reporters (Twitter link via Sullivan): “Despite good intentions and a lot of hard work, we didn’t feel it was the right move to bring Tim up here.”
What took them so long
He’s done bye, bye Timmy
Color me ………wait, what’s a good antonym for shocked?
nonplussed
Boy, nobody saw that coming
“Somebody, pass me the phone.” – Bobby Evans
Clever
Can’t pin this on Evans. He passed a long time ago.
Evans finally cast Gregor Blanco into the abyss after the 2016 season only to bring him back a year later, so the FO never says never.
Well, the giants do have Gorkys Hernandez (once traded by the Braves to Pit for Nate McClouth), and Jordan Schaffer (who Blanco replaced in CF on the Braves) in the minors. Seems like you needed the set.
does that mean he earns the minimum – if so I am expecting a call from the giants
No the Mets beat them to that call
He signs again with the Giants like in other sports. One day contract to retire in a SFG uniform.
Which arguably makes absolutely no sense
Wonder how many years could have been saved on his arm had it not been for the many 115-plus pitch games forced by Bruce Bochy.
Probably zero. It’s not his arm that’s been a problem, its been his hip and that was the result of his delivery.
yea, a lot of this is due to his mechanics- when you watch him day in and out there are a lot of moving parts and that is why it is a hip issue and not TJ like so many others. He never quite got back in his old slot after the hip went.
Everyone but JD knew this wasn’t going to work
Next Headline: Detroit Tigers Sign Tim Lincecum because “Why Not”…
Indians sign Lincecum to a major league contract, expect him to take over closing duties
The magic is over. Time to ride off into the sunset.
I think Timmy here has got at least one more shot on someone’s roster. Hard to say who will sign him. If he doesn’t sign then I think he should just wait it out and join an independent team next year. Or if that doesn’t work out call it a career being a 3x WS champion, correct me if I’m wrong please.
I could see the Orioles reaching out to him.
Back in the orange and black… well the other orange and black
Me too. With the trades they’ll probably make at the deadline they’re going to need bodies.
Christopher_Oriole….A body is about all they will be getting.
“The long locks are gone, and so is the heater. His first pitch Monday was his fastest, at 90 mph. His 15 pitches ranged between 83 and 90 mph.” https://www.statesman.com/sports/baseball/two-time-young-champ-tim-lincecum-returns-because-can-stay-away/shE757cjmNaeJ74ZQe7H2J/
The 83-90, 82-90 etc are repeated often in “Statesman” article about him.
Pretty sure the Braves might sign him since Tehran is on the DL. I honestly hope the Braves get rid of Tehran. He’s been crap this season and the time before and the time before last.
Teheran is over rated but no. No No.. Not in the widest world of sports should they sign Timmy
Next time the Rangers feel like just tossing a million bucks away, I hope they call me. I’ll give them as many MLB innings as Lincecum did for half the price.
La Donger need food
Aww, wanted feel good story to work out.
Only 33? Wow. So many of you want him to fail or lost hope in him. I still believe he can do it.. — O’s?! Who knows. -Good luck, Timmy.
You’re confusing want with reality. His showcase was not much different than his previous one when the Angels signed him. He had one extra tic on his FB for like one or two pitches. That is not a difference maker, plus “Lincecum has totaled 12 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, yielding eight earned runs on 14 hits and nine walks with 10 strikeouts in that time.” in AAA….reality check.
Exactly. I’m a huge fan of Timmy, partly because when he made the majors he was the first pitcher I’d ever seen that had a delivery like mine that made it and was so successful. I was bashed months ago for saying the guy is done, I’d love to see him make a comeback but he just isn’t going to. The writing has been on the wall for awhile now. There is probable, plausible, and unrealistic. This feel good story is flat out unrealistic.
His success was short lived compared to many greats, but his great years were awesome to watch. No one can take that from the guy. He did things most of us only dream about.
Your comments are awful. I sometimes dread even opening the comments because you comment on every single thread and honestly its annoying. You barely know what you are talking about half the time and seem like you are probably 14 and just playing on mommy’s computer in the basement when she thinks she is in bed. I am sure I am not the only one that feels this way every time I see a reply of yours. And I do have to be fair and say I have seen a few good replies of yours… why not just save the replying for the times you actually know what you are talking about? Sure this reply of mine will get bashed and thumbs down but I’m not alone.
You felt the need to write a 12 line story, calling me out, telling to stop / limit posting, and you admit I have good posts — with a mommy cliche’ diss, for a 4 line comment I wrote:
Many pitchers get released, lowest points of their lives/career. I love being positive. Im positive guy. You say he’s done, 6 ERA AAA or whatever. I try and look at the positives, and say he’s only 33.
As long as Tim’s love for the game is there, (by all indication it is, he keeps trying) No harm in him trying and me rooting for him because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
BTW. I initiated 2 responses. — 1 from Cat, 1 from Modified — (that’s the whole point: dialogue and discussions) 2 responses I very much appreciated. You have so much anger at me, when this place is filled with many trolls that you could take it out on instead of regular, long-time users, always try help.
Good job NRG, for voicing an opinion that you thought other would agree too.
This is a forum so if you don’t like something then move on.
Anyone have a fork?
No I have a spork
What, no weed jokes? I’m totally disappointed in you all.
Ok… the Rangers just puff, puff, gived Timmy $1 million dollars.
Timmy’s career is up in smoke.
I really would like to see Timmy succeed but i fear he is done, and weed.
I really would like to see Timmy succeed but i fear he is done, and weed.
Does this mean he wont be the closer in Texas?
Can’t wait to see next years TL comeback attempt.
At 33 Lincecum still has a truckload of comeback attempts to draw from. Jim Palmer attempted a comeback at 45, albeit unsuccessfully, but his next venture may need to be in the independent league.
Gosh, I remember when Lincecum came up, and all of the analytics people – people like me – said “he will have a short but extraordinary career.” Because that delivery was never going to last. We were ridiculed. But we were right. As we always are. I loved watching Tim pitch. He was so good. when he was good.
“Despite a lot of hard work (I) do not feel it (is) the right time…” to allow you, Jonathan Daniels, to continue as GM of the Rangers! What were you thinking Daniels when you signed that retread has-been (Lincecum) to that contract? Wish Lincecum well in his future aspirations in pro ball – possibly Japan.
I would prefer him over Pedro Baez!
It’s why they called Timmy ”The Freak” because of his long-strided delivery
And why so many teams passed on him out of college because they thought that he could not sustain a long career with his unorthodox delivery
Doubt he has to seek unemployment pay.