Tim Lincecum is one of the more interesting free agents set to hit the market this winter. The pitcher has two Cy Young awards to his name, but has struggled the past two seasons with a 20-29 record and a 4.76 ERA. The San Francisco Giants have announced they intend to re-sign the starting pitcher in the offseason, but negotiations have stalled as Lincecum intends to see what other offers are waiting for him.
The Giants have offered Lincecum a contract structured over two years with the team making him a qualifying offer of one year, $14 million. That would allow the Giants to receive draft picks and cash if Lincecum opts to sign elsewhere. The negotiations have not progressed since the initial offer was made and Lincecum appears fully content to become a full free agent.
The pitcher is the team's top priority. San Francisco just signed Hunter Pence to a five-year, $90 million to prevent him from hitting free agency. The focus has now shifted to Lincecum. Along with attempting to get the right-hander to sign an extension, the Giants also intend on signing left-hander Javier Lopez. They declined Ryan Vogelsong's $6.5 million option, freeing up funds for the pitcher.
Despite urgency on the side of the Giants, Lincecum intends on taking his time with the decision.
"Most decisions people make at this point are personal decisions," Lincecum said, via the San Mercury News. "I've still got to think about it. It's not a pressing thing for me."
Can Lincecum get a better offer elsewhere? There will certainly be plenty of interest in the pitcher, but it is uncertain whether someone else will offer him more money. Lincecum's roller coaster season has left plenty of questions regarding his future in baseball. It has been heavily speculated that Lincecum's days as a starter are over and he could be bettered used as a reliever.
If Lincecum opts to not sign the early deal, what teams would be interested? FOX Sports reports the Detroit Tigers have considered Lincecum. They considered trading for the pitcher before the deadline with the intention of moving him in as a reliever. The Los Angeles Angels have been struggling with pitching, leaving them looking for a starter to possibly replace the likes of Tommy Hanson or Joe Blanton.
The Giants offer is likely the best Lincecum can do. He would be wise to sign the deal now before the numbers get smaller.