San Francisco Giants: Potential landing spots for Tim Lincecum

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After 108 victories, 269 games pitched, 1,704 strikeouts, two no-hitters, two Cy Young awards, and most importantly three World Series championships, longtime San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is a true free agent for the first time in his career. With hip surgery and recent struggles hindering his return in 2016, it is unclear who will be interested in signing the 31-year-old right hander–including San Francisco.

According to Giants insider Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, a new contract is ““more a matter of when, how much and in what form, rather than if.” Baggarly also hears that “interest is mutual and strong” between Lincecum and the Giants front-office.

Of course, Giants fans long to see Lincecum in the Orange and Black for the rest of his career.

But, is signing Lincecum really a priority right now for San Francisco? It really shouldn’t be. With so many absences from the starting rotation and names like David Price and Zack Greinke available, Lincecum needs to be left alone for now. It is just a matter of who will will make a greater impact on the team: Lincecum or a free agent?

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Since winning his second Cy Young award in 2009, The Freak has compiled a modest 68-66 record, but has also posted a 4.59 ERA and has averaged just 5 2/3 innings pitched per start. Both his ERA and IP/GS rank as some of the worst in the league. For a guy that has made on average over $16 million dollars per year, these stats are not going to cut it.

Jun 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

According to Jon Heyman of Fox Sports, Lincecum will be asking for around a $5 million dollar contract with incentives. For a guy who is now most likely fourth or fifth starter, even this estimate is a little steep. After his hip surgery, Lincecum’s doctor is predicting that his velocity should increase and he may have a shot at regaining his old dominant self. If this is true, $5 million would be a steal, but a hip surgeon for a guy looking for a Major League contract is not necessarily the most credible source.

Whatever the case, because of his background and past success Lincecum will get an offer from somebody. It’s not a matter of if, instead it is a matter of who. Which team will pull the trigger?

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