Is Tim Lincecum Finished?

[D. Bergin]

Yeah, his decline has been predicted for some time now.

Guys with wacky motions are rarely effective long term. Either they injure themselves with poor mechanics or the league just begins to figure them out.

The smallest issue can knock them out of whack. I think Lincecum will have to change his approach and learn to pitch a different way if he is ever to become effective again.

I wonder if anybody can think of any other pitchers with crazy wind-ups, outside of perhaps Luis Tiant, who had long productive careers.

[pclpads]

With that arduous pitching motion, TL's bb future could be like Micah Ownings and Rick Ankiel: converting to a position player.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by pclpads

With that arduous pitching motion, TL's bb future could be like Micah Ownings and Rick Ankiel: converting to a position player.

Only problem with that is, Lincecum can't hit.

[novakjr]

Hope he turns it around. He was my 2nd round pick in fantasy this year, and he's been killing me. Loaded up on some DL options just in case he doesn't turn it around though.

As far as predictions of his early demise. I believe most of those were based on the injury probability, rather than people figuring him out. Don't get me wrong, dude's looked bad, but usually for 1 inning per game. In most of his starts, it's just one meltdown inning(at random), and the rest of the time, he looks like old Timmy...Usually the meltdown begins with an infield single, an error, or one of those 12 pitch at bats where he just can't seem to put the guy away. Personally, I think it's all mental.

Supposedly, he quit smoking pot, which could be part of his mental issues. He's just not used to dealing with adversity, where as in the past, I think he was too high to notice it. As a man in the trades, I've had to deal with plenty of "functional potheads" over the years, and I've seen plenty of meltdowns once they've quit(usually irritability, frustration, and an inability to focus). and more often than not, it just takes some time for them to become "functional non-potheads"

Keep in mind, I'm not advocating the use of pot. Just offering some insight into what might be Timmy's issues...

[Brendan]

It's been clear (atleast to me) since his first good year this was going to happen. It happens to so many pitchers. Considering the stress he puts on his arm and his size, this was almost inevitable. I do think he can continue his career as a slightly below average pitcher, but he needs to make two corrections. First, he needs to stop smoking so much weed. (though I hear he quit...which I don't believe for a second, but if it is the case and it's causing him to pitch like this, then maybe he should start back up again or quit during the offseason) Second, he needs to stop overthrowing. He doesn't throw 95 mph anymore and he never will again. He's too stubborn to just throw 90 and locate his pitches. Instead, he attempts to keep his velocity up at the expense of his command. If he sucks it up and throws 89-90 and locates his pitches he may be able to have a full career.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Yeah, his decline has been predicted for some time now.

Guys with wacky motions are rarely effective long term. Either they injure themselves with poor mechanics or the league just begins to figure them out.

The smallest issue can knock them out of whack. I think Lincecum will have to change his approach and learn to pitch a different way if he is ever to become effective again.

I wonder if anybody can think of any other pitchers with crazy wind-ups, outside of perhaps Luis Tiant, who had long productive careers.

Tiant hit a similar wall after five years in the league - he was 9-20 in 1969 and 1-7 in 1971, and some thought he was done. Then he turned it around with an awesome run from '72-'76 that now has people talking about him as a potential HOFer.

So it is possible for someone with an unorthodox delivery to turn it around as Tiant did, but it is certainly not an everyday thing.

[Jlighter]

He's finished in my opinion he can make a few QS but as an all star I doubt we will see him in his past form. I luckily traded him from my fantasy team 2 months ago, now the guy is begging me to take him back.

[drc]

Well, if he is finished, two Cy Youngs make for a good career.

[Scott Garner]

I guess that we now have our answer re: Lincecum. He was pretty terrific in a relief roll in the 2012 World Series.

Congrats to all the Giants fans out there!

[barrysloate]

Lincecum was nearly untouchable in relief. The only bad outing he had in the post season was his one start. Wonder if the Giants will attempt to convert him in 2013.

[rjackson44]

Agree with Barry, be safe Barry,,,

[rjackson44]

he smokes weed what do you want