Report: Orioles expressing interest in Lincecum
Tim Lincecum could be pitching for a team other than the San Francisco Giants next season for the first time in his career, and Camden Yards is reportedly on the list of potential new homes for the two-time Cy Young award winner.
According to an industry source of Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles are one of several teams interested in the services of the 31-year-old right hander.
The current market for free-agent starting pitchers is pretty slim, with Yovani Gallardo remaining as the top option. Although the Orioles have shown interest in Gallardo's services, they're reluctant to relinquish a first-round draft choice in order to sign him, which is where Lincecum fits in.
Lincecum, who underwent hip surgery in September, is set to showcase himself to teams in February, and could potentially help an Orioles rotation that finished 14th in the American League in ERA last season, and lost left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to free agency.
PROJECTED ORIOLES ROTATION
| PLAYER | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubaldo Jimenez | 184 | 12-10 | 4.11 | 1.36 |
| Chris Tillman | 173 | 11-11 | 4.99 | 1.39 |
| Miguel Gonzalez | 144.2 | 9-12 | 4.91 | 1.40 |
| Kevin Gausman | 112.1 | 4-7 | 4.25 | 1.23 |
| Mike Wright | 44.2 | 3-5 | 6.04 | 1.57 |
The former Giants ace made 15 starts for the club last season, posting a 7-4 record with a 4.13 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 76 1/3 innings of work.
His 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings was a career low, while his walk rate of 4.5 hitters per nine was a career high.