Is Tim Lincecum Finished?

[barrysloate]

It was often said that with his unorthodox pitching motion and small frame, Tim Lincecum might find himself having a rather short career. As we hit the All-Star break, Lincecum is 3-10 with a 6.42 ERA and it seems like every one of his starts is a train wreck. Is the guy done? I certainly hope not, but he is pitching as poorly as anyone can and still be in the rotation. And didn't he turn down a monster contract before the season began? That was a huge mistake.

[Runscott]

Steve Blass had 5 great years, then a sudden career-ending meltdown. Lincecum is just slightly younger, with 4 full seasons under his belt, but the meltdown seems very similar.

[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.

[gorrister]

Juan Marichal
Fernando Valenzuela (not sure if the length is his career qualifies)
Dennis Eckersley had a pretty radical delivery

[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,,,

[Scott Garner]

I noticed that Giants manager Bruce Bochy was quoted yesterday as saying that Lincecom would absolutely be in the starting rotation in 2013, FWIW....

[barrysloate]

Thanks Octavio. The storm is starting to gain some steam. The scary part is when it reaches its peak it will be dark.

[ooo-ribay]

For the first time in his career, Timmy threw in the off season. He is good to go...as is Cain...as is Vogey....as is Hudson....as is Bummy

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

For the first time in his career, Timmy threw in the off season. He is good to go...as is Cain...as is Vogey....as is Hudson....as is Bummy

"Ooooooo-reeebay!"

Agree, think Timmy and Vogey can have nice bounce back years... Cain a huge bounce back.. And Bumgarner is still ascending (rapidly). They could have a very nice deep rotation (though suspect maybe short of dominant).

I'm probably most curious/excited to see the fit Pablo this year. All in all I think the Giants have a good shot to get back in the West mix this year.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I am also intrigued by Sandoval.


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[rjackson44]

he smokes weed what do you want

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

"Ooooooo-reeebay!"

Agree, think Timmy and Vogey can have nice bounce back years... Cain a huge bounce back.. And Bumgarner is still ascending (rapidly). They could have a very nice deep rotation (though suspect maybe short of dominant).

I'm probably most curious/excited to see the fit Pablo this year. All in all I think the Giants have a good shot to get back in the West mix this year.

Keep dreaming, Ian...your response sounded like a very wishful fan

I'm just ready for the season to start...baseball all the time! I still have a slight knot in my stomach from picking Cain 25th overall in my fantasy league last year...

Oh yeah, I picked Sandoval too. He wasn't bad at first and I traded him before he could hurt me, so that worked out

I do like Lincecum...whether or not he will be relevant this year is beyond me, but bumgarner should be solid for sure. I don't know what to think about Cain. He wants to be a stud one minute and then he gets shelled the next...I guess that's baseball for ya!

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

Keep dreaming, Ian...your response sounded like a very wishful fan

We'll see Mike, we'll see..

Hugely happy baseball is almost back as well.

It's not just SF fanaticism (though I gots a lot of that!), I do think Cain will bounce back and think last year was an aberration. The entire team, aside from Hunter Pence seemingly went into a funk the 2nd half (Pablo, Posey, Cain, Crawford, etc). I think fatigue and their spot in the standings had something to do with that. I truly believe most of those guys are bound to bounce back this year. Whether that's enough to get us over the hump, or past the LA All Stars remains to be seen.. but the ride will be fun regardless. It's sort of fun having the our version of the Yankees to root against. West Coast baseball is alive and well!

[djson1]

I'm just kind of glad I didn't invest in his cards/autographs.

[packs]

Some harsh critics here. The guy had a 4.37 ERA and almost 200 K's last year. He'd be a number 3 on a lot of staffs with those numbers.

He might not win another Cy Young but I think it's crazy to look at him as being finished.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Lincecum will never new what he was but can still be very good if learns to adapt to his loss of velocity.