San Francisco Giants-Tim Lincecum Reunion Would Be Mutually Beneficial

Heading into free agency coming off hip surgery is not a good recipe, so it’s no surprise Tim Lincecum is an unemployed pitcher right now. Rumors of a showcase for interested teams date back to the start of spring training, but Jon Heyman of MLB Network is reporting the time may finally be nearing.

lincecum consistently 90-91 in dust storm monday, via observer. likely to throw this weekend, w/ showcase possible next wk

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 29, 2016

Heyman previously reported that 20 teams would attend Lincecum’s showcase, whenever it happened, and multiple teams had some rumored interest in the two-time Cy Young Award winner over the course of the offseason. Earlier this month, Heyman also reported the San Francisco Giants had interest in bringing Lincecum back as a reliever, and he has apparently been spotted throwing at the team’s spring training complex more recently.

Lincecum is clearly not the pitcher he was at his peak, due mostly to a notable drop in velocity, but his strikeout rate (7.1 K/9 in 2015) remains solid and if he can be less wild (4.5 BB/9 last year) his ERA could drop. The key would be limiting his exposure, so a mid-to-late inning bullpen role would allow Lincecum to hold up physically and ideally pitch more effectively.

The Giants have had their bullpen thinned by April elbow injuries to Sergio Romo and George Kontos, both of whom happen to be right-handers. So there is a clear fit for both sides, and absent any other offers Lincecum should be more than willing to re-join the Giants as soon as possible.