MLB: Five Potential Landing Spots For Tim Lincecum

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With Tim Lincecum conducting a showcase on Friday afternoon for as many as 20 teams, the 2-time Cy Young award winner will look to latch on in the MLB for the rest of the season. After a disappointing 2015 that saw Lincecum throw more changeups than fastballs before hitting the disabled list in late June because of a degenerative hip injury, eventually being shut down for the year, Lincecum has been throwing every 5th day trying to replicate the stresses of a major league rotation.

The small right-hander came into the league firing bullets out of that right arm, getting his fastball up to 99 mph on regularity. The velocity has been steadily declining since 2008 though, with it hitting an all-time low last season at an average of 87.5 mph. There had been rumors as he tried to rehab last year that he couldn’t get it over 85 in any bullpen session, but now he’s apparently back up to 91 before his showcase.

If he can show that he has at least some of his fastball back, and has learned to pitch without lighting up radar guns many teams will be interested in his services. After all, he is only 31-years old and has been an elite pitcher in the past. You don’t have to look far to find a similar case, as just down the coast from Lincecum’s last team Scott Kazmir is pitching for the Dodgers after signing a 3-year $48 million dollar deal this offseason.

Kazmir suffered a similar decline in velocity before being released by the Angels in 2011. He spent 2012 pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters, and independent league team before getting back to the big leagues at 29. Kazmir was an all-star in 2014 for Oakland and was one of the most sought after lefty starters this free agency.

If Kazmir can make a return, it’s certainly possible for Lincecum to do something similar and there are many teams who will be attending his showcase hoping to catch the same lightning he showed as a younger pitcher. We’ll look at the top 5 potential landing spots for Tim Lincecum.

Next: Number 5

5. Oakland Athletics

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Why not head to the same place that Kazmir really cemented his return to the upper-echelon of pitching? The Oakland Athletics have recently lost starter Chris Bassitt to Tommy John surgery, and are currently ranked 20th in terms of starters ERA. Their FIP is even worse than that, ranking them 24th at an ugly 4.56.

The A’s do have top prospect Sean Manea now in the big league rotation, and aren’t really expected to contend for the AL West this year, but they’ve gone after reclamation projects in the past. Signing Lincecum to a cheap two year deal may be right up their alley as they look to keep costs down. The huge ballpark they play in has done wonders for pitchers in the past, and it should help the fly-ball tendancies of Lincecum should he decide to head back to the Bay area.

The Athletics have been confirmed as being one of the teams that attended the showcase Friday afternoon, and should have an inside track since Lincecum is so familiar with the area, having pitched exclusively for San Francisco in the past. The American League might also suit him, since he would no longer be required to hit and run with the hip issues.

For his part, Lincecum has pitched extremely well in four starts in O.co Coliseum, striking out 38 batters in 28 innings and holding a 1.93 ERA. Calling that home for another 10 or so starts could really help to build his value back up in his bid for a return to the top.

Next: Number 4

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

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If you want to rebuild value as a MLB pitcher, you have to consider the Pittsburgh Pirates. Legendary pitching coach Ray Searage has worked wonders with reclamation projects in the past, and catcher Francisco Cervelli has long been regarded as an excellent pitch framer and game caller. Players like J.A. Happ, Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett and Edinson Volquez have all gone through the system and either turned their careers around or found new life as they enter their 30s.

Pittsburgh happens to also find themselves near the bottom of all the starting pitching rankings, down at 23rd in the league with a 4.53 FIP. Jon Niese has been terrible this season after coming over from the Mets in the offseason trade of Neil Walker, and though the Pirates have Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow in the pipeline, they would surely like to keep their clocks from churning along this season. If Lincecum can be effective in the short-term, the Pirates can look to contend again this year. Even with their bad pitching start they are 15-13 heading into Friday’s games.

Lincecum would have a familiar face in Pittsburgh, as former Giant Ryan Vogelsong is the Pirates swing man this season. He and Lincecum won world championships together in both 2012 and 2014, actually pitching in the same game against the Tigers in the 2012 series.

Lincecum hasn’t pitched very well in his 5 starts at PNC, but knows the Pirates’ main rivals very well. He’s pitched to a 10-6 record against the Cubs and Cardinals in his career, striking out 145 batters in just 137 innings. If he goes to the NL Central he has a shot to be back in the postseason and chase down his 4th career ring.

Next: Number 3

3. Houston Astros

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Another team that was on the Scott Kazmir rebound train, the Astros got him from the Athletics before the 2015 trade deadline. He pitched fairly well for the ‘Stros down the stretch, even making a start in the ALDS for them. The Astros, thought of as favourites to win the AL West this season find themselves really struggling to start the year. Their pitching has been the worst part, with offseason signing Doug Fister not being able to rebound from his down year, and Collin McHugh and Mike Fiers putting up their worst years as professionals.

The Astros are still looking to make a splash this year, with talented young stars all over the diamond. While Dallas Keuchel is set to turn things around after a slow start, Lincecum could give a boost to a really weak rotation. Their 10-19 start is awful, but they’re a team that could hit a hot streak at any time. Like Oakland, a cheap two year deal would give them some help next year, even if 2016 is a bit out of reach.

In four starts at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Lincecum has pitched to a 0.34 ERA, only allowing a single run over 26 innings. You could say he’s had some success there. With Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and George Springer all playing amazing baseball early this season, Lincecum could try to jump onto a team on the upswing and hope for some more playoff success in the future.

Houston was confirmed as one of the teams to attend the showcase in Arizona, as they look for some sort of an answer to their rotation woes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in Houston before the year is out.

Next: Number 2

2. Los Angeles Angels

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With the recent news that Los Angeles Angels’ right-hander Garrett Richards will require season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair his torn UCL, and young southpaw Andrew Heaney is trying to rehab a similar injury the Angels suddenly find themselves in dire need of some reliable starting pitching. With a weak farm system and struggling big league team, the Angels are at risk of wasting some of their remaining years with MVP Mike Trout. While Lincecum isn’t an answer to all of their problems, he could be an interesting option for the team.

Another team from the AL West, the Angels are off to a bumpy start to the 2016 season but are not as far out as the Astros. Trailing the Mariners by only 4 games headed into Friday, the Angels can make a run at any time because of the presence of Trout. While Albert Pujols is a shadow of his former self, there is always the chance he goes on a run similar to last season. If they can get some reliable starting pitching they could push for a wild card spot.

Obviously the Angels would have a similar advantage to Oakland in being in a familiar state, and Anaheim isn’t all that far from Lincecum’s property in Paradise Valley, AZ. While the West coast isn’t the only possible landing spot for Lincecum, it seems like it’s got a pretty good chance.

Lincecum has never pitched at Angel Stadium, but it may feel like home in some respects. It ranked second to only San Francisco’s AT&T Park in supressing overall run scoring last season, something that would surely interest a player trying to make a comeback. While it’s not nearly as hard on homeruns, it would be a great place to try and rebuild your value.

Next: Number 1

1. San Francisco Giants

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While it would certainly be somewhat anti-climactic, Lincecum going back to the Giants would seem to be his preference. With the struggles of Jake Peavy and Matt Cain to start the season – they are sitting at 9.00/4.98 and 7.84/5.30 ERA/FIP respectively – there might just be room in that rotation for Lincecum to make his return.