San Francisco: Tim Lincecum
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
There’s been debate on what Lincecum’s role should be for 2014. I have no doubt that he should start even though he was effective out of the bullpen when the Giants won the 2012 World Series. And last season didn’t curtail those thoughts either.
For four years, Lincecum was one of baseball’s best pitchers. From 2008-11, he produced a 62-36 record, 2.81 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 143 ERA+, and an even 10 SO/9. He was voted the NL’s Cy Young winner in ’08 and ’09 while coming in the top 10 in the two seasons thereafter.
But the last two season have not produced those results. Sure, he had the no-no, but if you want to nitpick, he did throw 148 pitches. After that game: 5-5, 4.54 ERA, 1.291 WHIP. Those numbers look decent compared the games before the no-hitter.
So why the big deal about his spring debut? Again, it is spring training. From MLB.com’s Chris Haft:
"Lincecum realized in the second inning that he was moving toward home plate with his back to the target instead of his front (left) side."
What’s the big deal in this? I’m speculating here, but what if the ability to not recognize this mechanical flaw (or any other) this quickly is what has led to a pair of less than mediocre seasons?