OT - Lincecum asks for $21.5 Million in arbitration

[Dback Jon]

Giants ace Tim Lincecum asked for $21.5 million in salary arbitration Tuesday and was offered $17 million by the club.

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner's request neared the record amount sought in arbitration. Houston pitcher Roger Clemens asked for $22 million in 2005.

San Francisco's offer was the highest in arbitration history, topping the $14.25 million the New York Yankees proposed for shortstop Derek Jeter in 2001.

"I'm overall optimistic that we'll find common ground without a hearing room," Bobby Evans, Giants vice president of baseball operations, said before seeing Lincecum's filing numbers. "It's a process that begins long before today in terms of conversations about possible deals that work for both sides. That process has continued in a mutual fashion. At this point we haven't reached a conclusion."

Also Tuesday, the Giants and slugger Pablo Sandoval agreed on a $17.15 million, three-year contract. The 25-year-old third baseman became an All-Star last season after losing nearly 40 pounds during a rigorous offseason regimen. He batted .315 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 2011.



Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/01/17/lincecum.giants.ap/index.html#ixzz1jpTFfj9n

 

[AzKarl]

Tim hitting the Maryjane

He's good but not 22 million per year good. That's insane. Maybe he's switched from doobies to full scale bongs.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

With pitching being at a premium and Lincecum being one of the best in the game (all while still extremely young), I think he's in his right measures to ask for a big money deal.

 

[Mulli]

It is only 4.5 million what the Giants offered him. So no big deal really.

 

[wilycoyote24]

It is only 4.5 million what the Giants offered him. So no big deal really.

Even by sports standards, 4.5 million is a big deal. He wants more than 25% more than he was offered.

 

[Mulli]

Even by sports standards, 4.5 million is a big deal. He wants more than 25% more than he was offered.

And? Why wouldn't he? World Series champion. Multiple Cy Young. Why not? And how is 25% that much more?

 

[Gaddabout]

That's $22 mil for a player -- if completely healthy -- plays 33 games a year. Starting pitching is important, but that's insanity. That's more than $1 mil for every projected win, considering he's never won 20 games in a season. In fact, he's been in the negative y/y since 2009.

 

[wilycoyote24]

And? Why wouldn't he? World Series champion. Multiple Cy Young. Why not? And how is 25% that much more?

In sports, pretty much only elite quarterbacks are worth that much money.

 

[Mulli]

That's $22 mil for a player -- if completely healthy -- plays 33 games a year. Starting pitching is important, but that's insanity. That's more than $1 mil for every projected win, considering he's never won 20 games in a season. In fact, he's been in the negative y/y since 2009.

Still judging pitchers by wins and losses? How 1997 of you. Look at his lack of run support.

 

[Mulli]

In sports, pretty much only elite quarterbacks are worth that much money.

Worth? He is worth what they will pay.

 

[Gaddabout]

Still judging pitchers by wins and losses? How 1997 of you. Look at his lack of run support.

Randy Johnson had at least 1 20-win season with similar run support. Lincecum didn't even finish .500 last year.

TL might be worth that much to a team that's going to contend, but to the Giants, they have so much more they have to address. Sucks for them to be in an arbitration year.

 

[Brian]

4/5 of the D-Backs rotation are making less than 500K a year. No way do you pay 1 pitcher 21 mil. I understand that the D-Backs pitchers paydays are coming, but NONE of them are worth 21 mil. Thank them for their service and walk away.

Say TL wins 20 games, his replacement wins 14. 21 mil vs. 500k for 6 wins? No thank you.

 

[wilycoyote24]

Worth? He is worth what they will pay.

I debated whether or not to put "to me" in that original post. I concluded it wasn't necessary as it would be obvious to everyone. I guess I was wrong. I meant, if I was a GM in the four major sports, the only position I would ever consider giving $20+ million per season to would be a top-five QB.

 

[Mulli]

I see what you guys are saying. I just don't think Lincecum would be very smartif he asked for less. He may have had a case for asking for more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_paid_Major_League_Baseball_players

He is asking for slightly less than Johan Santana gets. And Vernon Wells makes 26 mill!!!

 

[Dback Jon]

Signs for two years, $40.5 million.

Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants reached a verbal agreement Tuesday on a two-year contract worth $40.5 million.

The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $18 million this year and $22 million in 2013, a person familiar with the agreement said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced. Lincecum still must take a physical, which the Giants hope will happen early next week to complete the deal.

Lincecum had asked for a near-record $21.5 million in salary arbitration and had been offered $17 million by the club. He remains eligible for free agency following the 2013 season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-giants-lincecum

Weird contract...

 

[crisper57]

They are more than likely paying over $1 million per win. That kind of premium might be worth it if they could secure him long-term, but this is only a 2 year deal.

I don't understand why the Giants are standing pat with their weak lineup. I can't believe they didn't push hard for "Prince Albert". Do they really think getting Posey back from injury will turn their offensive woes around?

If I was a fan of that team, I'd be pissed. They weren't good enough last year and they continue to do nothing while the better team in their division went out and got a whole lot better.

Thanks Sabean!

On a side note, I won't be surprised in Timmy's body starts to break down relatively soon. The continual stories about his lifestyle choices and diet, paired with his awkward throwing motion, make me think he will start to have health issues that prevent him from making starts. He's gotta get his money now, I guess.

 

[AZ Native]

It makes Kennedy's 21-4 season last year (with a 423K salary) look even better.

 

[McCutchenistheTruth]

Craziness haha. So much money.