SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Tim Lincecum agreed to a $650,000, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. Lincecum The 24-year-old Lincecum won the National League Cy Young Award in 2008, going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA while striking out a major league-leading 265 batters in 227 innings. He ranked third in the major leagues in ERA and winning percentage, and was second in the NL in ERA and victories. Lincecum, who made his major league debut on May 6, 2007, is likely to be eligible for salary arbitration after the 2009 season. ********************* Does anybody else think this is a little less then he's worth.
Tim wants to go year to year and is not FA eligible until 2013. He will however almost assuredly become a "super 2", e.g. eligible for arbitration after 2 years because they were standout years. Tim said he prefers year to year ATM, because he wants to be able to goto a contender and win, if it comes to that. He recently however, backed off the stance and said he and his agents are open to a multiple year deal. Why he wouldn't sign a gigantic contract now however is bewildering, considering he is under Giants control until 2013.