Feb 28 2009
Lincecum Signs for $650,000 - Price Likely to Rise in 2010
Giants ace and National League Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum agreed to a $650,000 contract for the 2009 season. Assuming he pitches a full season at the big league level Lincecum should be eligible for arbitration next offseason. With a repeat performance of his 08 campaign the diminutive right hander would be in line for a huge raise - potentially record setting.
Expect San Francisco to attempt to lock up Lincecum to a long term deal - most likely something in the neighborhood of 4-5 years at $18 million per season. On the open market the ace would be a hot commodity - a pitcher yet to enter his prime who already puts up Cy Young numbers.
General Manager Brian Sabean would be smart to lock him in sooner than later - going to arbitration is a process that often frays the relationships between stars and teams, as the face of the franchise it is in the Giants best interest to avoid arbitration with Lincecum.
I think your numbers are a bit off there. San Fran will definitely sign him to buy out his arbitration years no doubt but not at 18 MM per season. He should command a little more than Hamels just got. He got 3 years 20.5 MM, I would think Lincecum would garner around 4 years 40 million or so. There is no big rush to sign for the 18 MM mark because he is under team control till he is a free agent in 4 or 5 years. The big pay days typically come when you get right out of arbitration and put up the huge numbers.
Tom
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