Tim Lincecum has signed a $650,000 contract. Kudos to Hank Schulman for the scoopage.
It’ll be his last one under $1 M, you can be sure. Next winter he’s eligible for arbitration and a significant raise. Or he and the Giants might reach a long-term deal that buys out several years, something the team did with Matt Cain and Noah Lowry.
No indication it’ll happen with Lincecum. So far his agent seems lukewarm to the idea. The only other young pitcher I’ve seen (or read) being downright cool to a long-term contract is Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox.
Lowry’s latest setback shows you why pitchers are usually eager to go long-term. His elbow hurts, the second time this spring he’s had enough pain to shut things down for a few days, and it looks like he won’t be ready to pitch any time soon. Pessimists might start whispering that he’s done. If he were in his mid-30s, I’d be more inclined to think that way. But given his age (28) and his contract ($4.5 million this year, $6.25 million club option next year), he should be motivated to keep plugging away. Even if he comes back this year, though, that club option is looking less likely.
