Lincecum files for record $13M in arbitration

[paintmered]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum asked for a record $13 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday, while the San Francisco Giants offered their ace $8 million.

Lincecum is seeking the richest contract ever awarded in arbitration, surpassing the $10 million that Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Francisco Rodriguez (2008) got after losing cases and Ryan Howard got after winning his in 2008.

If Lincecum and the Giants don't settle, an arbitration panel will hold a hearing next month and pick one of the salaries.

Lincecum's case is an interesting test because few players have entered salary arbitration with credentials similar to his. Called up early in the 2007 season, the right-hander has a 40-17 record with a 2.90 ERA.

He won the Cy Young in his first two full seasons, becoming the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson from 1999-2002. Lincecum was a bargain for the Giants last year, when he made $650,000.

He had no negotiating leverage then, but is guaranteed to increase his salary by more than twelvefold even if he loses his case because he is eligible for arbitration as a so-called "Super 2" -- a player in the top 17 percent of service time between two and three seasons.

Lincecum's case could be most similar to Howard, who won a $10 million award in his first time in arbitration in 2008. Howard won the NL MVP in 2006 when he led the league with 58 home runs and followed that with 47 homers in 2007. The Phillies offered $7 million, while Howard won with his $10 million request.

Lincecum, nicknamed "The Freak" for his giant stride and slender body, has been the NL's most dominant pitcher almost from his arrival. He has a 33-12 record with a 2.55 ERA the past two seasons, leading the league in strikeouts both years. He has 526 strikeouts during that span, averaging 10.5 per nine innings.

Lincecum also leads the majors in ERA, batting average against (.214), winning percentage (.733) and strikeouts over the past two seasons.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lincecum agreed to pay $513 to resolve marijuana charges against him in Washington state.

He originally faced two misdemeanor charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession stemming from a traffic stop on Oct. 30. The charges were reduced to a civil infraction.

Lincecum appeared in Clark County District Court before Judge Darvin Zimmerman on Tuesday morning. Giants managing partner Bill Neukom was in court in a sign of support for Lincecum.

He paid a speeding ticket separately.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

The only hope for the Giants is to settle for around $11M. I'd be shocked if they win an argument against a 25 year old pitcher with two Cy Young Awards. And really, Lincecum would be foolish to not take this to arbitration.

I can see it now..."I present to you, Exhibit A: my Cy Young Award. I also present to you, Exhibit B: my other Cy Young Award. I think we're done here."

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by paintmered

The only hope for the Giants is to settle for around $11M. I'd be shocked if they win an argument against a 25 year old pitcher with two Cy Young Awards.

You said it best.... there just is no way that the Giants win this case. They better hope to strike a deal before the hearing.

[sonny]

I can see it now.
"Dudes, I need this money 'cause the weed out here is, like, really expensive."

[Caveat Emperor]

Frankly, $13m seems like kind of a deal for a pitcher of Lincecum's caliber. Especially when there's no long-term risk assigned to the team for any potential injuries.

[savafan]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Frankly, $13m seems like kind of a deal for a pitcher of Lincecum's caliber. Especially when there's no long-term risk assigned to the team for any potential injuries.

What is that, like a million more than Harang?

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

Frankly, $13m seems like kind of a deal for a pitcher of Lincecum's caliber. Especially when there's no long-term risk assigned to the team for any potential injuries.

Well we are talking about first year abritration here. 13M would be pretty groundbreaking.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Patrick Bateman

Well we are talking about first year abritration here. 13M would be pretty groundbreaking.

At the same time so is winning a Cy Young in the first two full seasons you have.

[cincinnati chili]

The comparable is Ryan Howard, who got a record $10 mil. at his first year of eligibility. There really aren't many 3rd-year pitchers to compare him to throughout history.

If they go to the hearing, his drug arrest will be an issue, and per the collective bargaining agreement, it's allowed to be (content of character).

Because of his drug arrest, I'd call this a coin flip. Otherwise, I'd favor Lincecum.

[Topcat]

Can't blame Lincecum and with him ya never know when the arm is gonna fall of "DraveckY" style.

[reds1869]

I would gladly pay $15 million to have that arm in our rotation.

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

At the same time so is winning a Cy Young in the first two full seasons you have.

My point is of course 13M is a bargain for a player of Lincecum's calibre. But so are about 99% of first year arb contracts compared to normal free agent type of contracts.

[Screwball]

I thought he'd ask for more. A lot more. There was talk from his agent (what else is new?) that they were going to challenge the benchmark C.C. Sabathia has set with his annual $23,000,000 salary by filing for $23,000,001.

But with arbitration being all or nothing (the arbitrator can't settle for a middle ground), $13 million was probably wise. He'd certainly win that should it go before a judge.