Tim Lincecum Will Not Boost Los Angeles Angels' Playoff Chances On His Own

Free agent pitcher Tim Lincecum finally had his showcase for interested teams in Arizona on May 6. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has found a new team, as he is apparently nearing a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

sources: 2-time cy young winner tim lincecum is leaning toward the angels. could happen today.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 16, 2016

Sources: Tim Lincecum closing in on a deal with the Angels. Giants and White Sox are out.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 16, 2016

The Angels have been hammered by starting pitching injuries this year, with Tyler Skaggs (elbow) still out and C.J. Wilson (shoulder), Andrew Heaney (elbow) and Garrett Richards (elbow) joining the list since spring training. An opportunity to start was Lincecum’s obvious preference, and coupled with the expectation he would sign with a West Coast team the Angels are a clear fit.

With a three-game winning streak going after the weekend, the Angels are 5.5 games out of first place in the AL West. Any playoff aspirations seem far-fetched, but the Seattle Mariners should come back to the pack and keep the bottom part of the division from falling too far behind.

Lincecum can be a suitable rotation piece for the Angels, assuming he stays healthy. But expecting much better than a 4.00 ERA from here on out, over let’s say 25 starts, is unrealistic and the Angels are unlikely to become a playoff contender based solely on what a far-past-his-peak Lincecum offers.