Tim Lincecum Could Be Nice Low-Cost Addition

Between 2008 and 2011, Tim Lincecum posted ERAs below 3.43 every year while making the all-star game four times. Obviously, he is now a shell of his former self, but his resurgent 2015 season should give some team confidence he can be a nice back-end starter.

More from MLB Rumors

Last year, he went 7-4 with a 4.13 ERA in 15 starts before missing the rest of the season due to hip surgery. His velocity has dropped in each of the last two seasons, so he’s not the overpowering pitcher he once was.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says this means he could be moving to the bullpen role in 2016 as he looks to re-establish his value. Perhaps he could establish new value as a reliever if he does transition into the role well.

Teams can never have enough pitching depth, so if Lincecum’s camp has a reasonable asking price, there figure to be plenty of teams interested. With the Giants likely out of the free agent market now, he is almost sure to end up somewhere other than San Francisco.

Any time a player like Lincecum becomes available, they’re worth looking at, because they’ve shown they can get the job done in the past. As long as teams go in with the expectation that they’re not going to get his 2008-2011 self, they can’t be disappointed with the results.

Worst-case scenario, they lose $3-6 million and know Lincecum is never going to be very productive again. Best-case scenario, they get a great value from Lincecum, who could transition well to a new role in the bullpen. Of course, he could also still be a productive No. 4 or 5 starter.

Now, the only question remaining is who will take a chance on the once-great righty in 2016.

Home/MLB Rumors

Tim Lincecum Could Be Nice Low-Risk, High-Reward Signing For MLB Team

By Jacob Kornhauser | Jan 31, 2016