Boston Red Sox Rumors: Team keeping an eye on ‘The Freak’ Tim Lincecum
Forget hitting, the Boston Red Sox may be looking to bolster their starting rotation. The team is reportedly interested in Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
Don’t call it a comeback, just call it a continuation. After taking the 2017 season off, former San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles starting pitcher Tim Lincecum has announced he is seeking a return to baseball. Of course, the Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in the two-time National League Cy Young-Award winner.
As reported by Boston Sports Journal’s Sean McAdam, the Red Sox will send scouts to watch the 33-year-old pitcher workout.
Red Sox will be among the many teams with someone on hand to watch Tim Lincecum's workout this week.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) February 13, 2018
With Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello leading a strong starting rotation, taking a chance on a pitcher like Lincecum is one of those low risk, high reward type chances a team like the Red Sox could benefit from.
Known as “The Freak” due to his dominance in the National League, Tim Lincecum only made nine starts with the Angels after undergoing hip surgery in 2015. In those nine appearances, he posted a 9.16 ERA with a 2-6 record. He did have 32 strikeouts in 38.1 inning pitched, but it was more than apparent he was a shell of the pitcher he was in San Francisco.
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A year off, however, may have helped Lincecum regain some of his form and velocity. If he has anything left in the tank, teams will be willing to give him a shot. If not as a starter, then certainly as a reliever if that is a role that interests the right-handed pitcher.
The Red Sox aren’t the lone AL East team interested in what the three-time World Series champion can do. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are amongst the 10 teams going to watch Tim Lincecum workout Thursday in Seattle.
Thoughts on team’s interest in Lincecum
It has been proven over the last few seasons that a team could never have enough starting pitchers. Last season, the Boston Red Sox appeared set at the position, but injury plagued seasons by David Price, Steven Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez caused the team to take a chance on a pitcher like Doug Fister.
Lincecum could provide a similar role. If signed to a minor league contract, he can further prove he has something left in the tank and also provide the team with a quality veteran pitcher who could step in if the team needed.
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With no high expectations, Tim Lincecum would be a nice 4th or 5th starter in the rotation. Or, like I mentioned above, he could help the team out of the bullpen. At the very least, taking a look at him (or even a chance on him) won’t hurt at all.