We learned recently that free agent righty Tim Lincecum is preparing for a long-awaited showcase on Friday. Once one of the best pitchers in the game, Lincecum has been slowed by a variety of injury and performance issues more recently — including, particularly, hip surgery this past September — and is looking to show that he’s back to full health before signing.
Here’s the latest, with links to the Twitter account of MLB Network’s Jon Heyman unless otherwise noted:
- The showcase will be held at Scottsdale Stadium, the Giants’ spring home, per Heyman. While Lincecum has availed himself of his long-time team’s facilities during his ramp-up, it shouldn’t be supposed that a return to San Francisco is particularly likely. As we’ve covered before, the Giants are said to be interested in Lincecum as a bullpen option, while he’s hoping to find a shot as a starter.
- This particular event was always going to draw more fanfare than a typical bullpen session for a free agent who hasn’t posted a sub-4.00 ERA since 2011, but it appears that it could be made into a bigger spectacle than anyone would have foreseen. ESPN may be on hand to broadcast the outing, Heyman tweets, which would certainly lend an interesting combine-esque quality to the proceedings.
- Beyond the Giants, we heard previously that the Orioles, Padres, and Athletics plan to have a scouting presence on hand. The White Sox, too, will be there, per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link), as will the Angels, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (via Twitter). And the Blue Jays will also take a look, John Lott tweets.
- Heyman also adds several more clubs that plant to send eyes (links: 1; 2; 3; 4). The Dodgers, Cubs, Nationals, and Marlins will be there from the National League side of things. And American League teams with at least one scout in the stands will include the Rangers and Astros.
roadapple
Aren’t the Padres suppose to be there? Or are they sending their crack team of scouts to DR to size up Jose Miguel Fernandez today?
ethanhickey
Come home Timmy! We just opened up a spot for you!
R.D.
If Linececum was smart he’d take a one year incentive based deal in Pittsburgh. Weak offensive division with a good defense behind him and Searage there to help his mechanics. He’d also be able to compete for a world series which looks doubtful in San Francisco this year.
chesteraarthur
The central is a weak offensive division?
futureGM
More like one of, if not the best offensive division in baseball. But going to Pittsburgh on a one year deal is one of the smarter moves for the freak
Ted
Three of the top four MLB offenses (by runs scored at least) are in the NL central.. The worst offense in that division is 18th/30. Pittsburgh would be a good park to pitch in, but I wouldn’t want to face CHC and STL 38 times in a season on an incentives-laden deal.
333ddd1
Not so sure about the Giants being non-contenders
SixFlagsMagicPadres
But it’s an even year…
Giants51
He’s a Giant…… You can bet on that…
dstuart
There is a whole lot of stupid in your comment
nic44
Just not the D-blanks pls….
slogar1
The Dodgers will sign him, they sign everybody.
dresman92
Lol
Giants51
He’ll be going back to the Giants…….
nohitter
I figured the Tigers would have a scout watching him. After the disaster Pelfrey has been and the inconsistentcy of the number 4 spot in the rotation, it wouldn’t help to see what the freak has left in him.
SoCalShu
The Angels are in dire need w/ Weaver being well what the realist knew he would be (not referring to his record where he was given a bunch of run support) and Shoe getting sent down and CJ and Tyler still months away and no one in AA or AAA to bring up…but then again they don’t have the “cap space” so who knows if they would make offer if even impressed b/c the risk is still high that he won’t break down mid season.
boltz82
He should go to San Diego. Besides my wanting him to, pitchers often fair well pitching in San Diego, including the Freak. Given his past history there and the dynamics of the stadium he could in all likelihood have good numbers making 10 starts there moving forward. And with the loss of Robbie Erlin they are in dire need.
rangerfan23
Come on Texas !!!!!
BusterMove
I see Timmy going to Seattle, Denver… Maybe Portland? Wherever that Icky is Sticky.
drstevenhorn
Check out Jake Peavy’s latest this afternoon. I’d say the Giants are in need of a starter.
soxfan1
DD said the Sox will be in attendance.
Sonny 3
He will go with the Giants
YKTD
Lots of hype for a washed up pitcher. He will sign for a bag of weed if someone offers it.
AGAVE
Id say he goes to the Angles. Anaheim needs a starter and mo Ing to the AL should benefit him