Giants' Sabean: Re-signing Lincecum a 'long shot'
If free-agent right-hander Tim Lincecum intends to be a starter in 2016, he may not be returning to the only team he's known during his major-league career.
San Francisco Giants executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean told reporters Friday re-signing the 31-year-old is a "long shot" if he wants to start because the club would use him as a reliever.
The Giants added pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija during the offseason, filling their 2016 starting rotation.
| PLAYER | IP | W-L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Bumgarner | 218.1 | 18-9 | 2.93 | 234 |
| Johnny Cueto | 212 | 11-13 | 3.44 | 176 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 214 | 11-13 | 4.96 | 163 |
| Jake Peavy | 110.2 | 8-6 | 3.58 | 78 |
| Matt Cain | 60.2 | 2-4 | 5.79 | 41 |
Lincecum, who had hip surgery in September, is set to showcase what he has to offer some time in February and is currently working out in a "secret location."
Sabean mentioned the club would attend Lincecum's throwing session to check in.
The former two-time Cy Young winner made 15 starts for the Giants last season, while posting a 4.13 ERA. He has already received interest from the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason.
His 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings last season was a career low, while his walk rate of 4.5 hitters per nine was a career high.