San Francisco Giants: Don’t Freak Out If Tim Lincecum Signs with Dodgers

San Francisco Giants fans: Do not do what you do when a player you claim as your own signs with the team you root against.

You did it when Jason Schmidt signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

You did it again with Brian Wilson.

And you did it again with Sergio Romo.

The thing all of these signings had in common was that the Dodgers signed them after the Giants refused to.

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Juan Uribe, who had a “similar offer” on the table from the Giants, signed a three year deal with the Dodgers after the 2010 World Series. Uribe had never had a multi year deal in his entire career. He had signed in 2009 and 2010 with the Giants as a Non Roster Invite despite deserving a Major League deal. It was not surprising when Uribe chose the Dodgers.

And yet, when the World Series hero returned to AT&T Park, it didn’t take long for the boos to roll in like the fog.

When Romo signed with the Dodgers last season, I wrote a similar article as I am writing now.

The reality is that none of these players should be looked down on for making the choice to sign with any Major League Baseball team, even if it is the Dodgers.

That is their right as free agents. In most cases, the Giants were not even an option.

The counter to this article is fans who will claim that it is their right to boo whoever they want to and that as soon as a player is not a Giant anymore, they are free game. While that may be true, and it is certainly your right to turn on these players, my question is why waste your energy?

Lincecum, Romo, Wilson and Uribe helped the Giants win multiple championships. Schmidt led the Giants staff that nearly won it all in 2002. These were great Giants that deserve to be cheered for their best moments.

Next: Update on Orlando Cepeda's Condition

Booing them for what you perceive as their worst moment is counterproductive. Especially when the Giants will likely bring all of these players back at some point. It’s what they do.