Lincecum Lands Pay Raise

The Giants have agreed with right-hander Tim Lincecum on a one-year, $650,000 contract, possibly marking the last time that they’ll be able to rein in his salary.

Lincecum probably will be eligible for salary arbitration after this season, a process which will virtually guarantee him astronomical raises — assuming he continues to perform at or near his Cy Young Award-winning level.

I didn’t realize you could still resign a Cy Young award winner for less than a million a season. They should have tried that tactic with Zito. The Giants must be saving the rest of their money for a contract offer to Manny Ramirez.

Tiny Tim not so Tiny

With the Giants nine and half games out of first, seventeen games below .500 and less than 20 games to go in the season, typically there isn’t much to watch or hope for. Not so the case this year as Tiny Tim Lincecum is building his case for NL CY award honors. Last night Lincecum blew through the pitiful d-backs going eight and a third innings, striking out nine and only giving up one earned run to boost his record to 16-3. Bochy went with a veteran line up to aid his young pitcher’s CY chances as the Giants put up six runs including a homerun from Big Money Molina.

 

With only a handful of starts left, the CY award race appears headed for a 2 man race down to the wire. Brandon Webb leads the NL in wins with 19 but trails Lincecum’s major league leading 225 K’s and a NL leading 2.54 era. While many will argue the importance of Webb’s wins, he has been less than stellar in the past few weeks as the d-backs have fallen out of first. Many consider CC Sabathia a contender, but I think his lack of NL starts will hurt his chances. Aside from Lincecum’s great numbers, it’s the intangibles that he brings. With the Giants getting blown out time after time, Lincecum has been the blood clot they have needed as he has stopped the bleeding every fifth day. Lincecum has stepped up BIG every time his team has needed him. Maybe we shouldn’t call him tiny anymore. 

 

Writers’ prediction: Linecum wins the CY Award.

In Need of a Great Timeout…

Basketball season is just around the corner so its time for some preseason analysis for our Golden State Warriors. The Warriors finished with one of their best seasons last season finishing 48-34, but unfortunately did not make the playoffs landing just outside the playoffs at the ninth seed.

The Warriors will begin the Post-Baron Davis era without their newly appointed point guard, Monta due to leg injury. Rumor has it he was doing a calf raise competition with Azabuike and lost. The Warriors will probably use the out of shape and overweight Marcus Williams at the point guard position. It appears the only thing he has lifted in the past were stolen laptops. The Warriors have also added the hefty Ronny Turiaf and beefy Corey Maggette while drafting the up and coming beanpole, Anthony Randolph.

Turiaf should definitely add some bulk in the paint as his BMI of 26 is greater than Biedrens’ 25. Reports say Maggette and Azabuike have become best buds in the weight room and look to become the first teammates to make 1st Team All-Muscle. Coach Nelson has been pushing youngsters Wright and Randolph hard on the court and makes sure they adhere to a salad only diet as to keep their intimidating stature. The Warriors appear to be putting together the proper pieces necessary to be a playoff contender as soon as Monta comes back from his injury.

Writer’s Prediction: Warriors sneak into the 8th spot finishing 44-38 after Monta makes a quick recovery from injury.

Brains over Brawn

The 49ers have just named their starting QB for the season opener as my colleague Slicker has pointed out. While UCD is not known for its athletics program, let me tell you, its definitely the place to be if you want to learn about chlorophyll, viticulture and anything else science related. As a former graduate of the prestigious University of California - Davis, I know you’ve got to have brains to succeed as I spent five years here wallowing in books and term papers. UC Davis may not have a nationally ranked sports program, a 100,000 person football stadium, or state of the art training facility, but they are ranked in the top 50 in academics according to US News and World Report. So what JT may lack in size (6′2, 227lb) and experience (zero career starts) he’ll make up for it with a bona fide education from UCD.