The Tim Lincecum Condition

Tim Lincecum is anything but normal.

Lincecum began his first time through the arbitration process yesterday, the problem with his situation is that it is unlike any arbitration situation before. Lincecum filed his claim of arbitration at $13 million. If he wins (it would be one of the more shocking things in recent sports news if he didn't) Lincecum will set the record for highest paid first year arbitration-eligible player. The current record is $10 million set only a few years ago by Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies. Luckily for Lincecum, he is used to standing out in a crowd.

From a very young age, Lincecum's father taught him unusual pitching mechanics. Little did he know how strongly that wind-up would affect the rest of his life.

His awkward wind-up scared away most MLB teams. There were more than 1,400 player selected ahead of him before the Chicago Cubs selected him. As a result, Lincecum opted to commit to the University of Washington.

After his Junior year, Lincecum was again drafted after over 1,000 players were selected though this time he was taken roughly 200 spots earlier. He again decided to go back to the school, this time for his senior year.

The move ended up working out pretty well for him as he was given the Golden Spikes award as the best amateur baseball player in the nation.

While he was considered the best player in the college ranks there were still nine players selected ahead of him in the 2006 draft. Though many of the players taken ahead of him — such as Evan Longoria, Brandon Morrow, and Clayton Kershaw — have had impressive careers so far, the fact that Lincecum was passed over nine times seems ridiculous in hindsight.

Moving forward, one thing is sure. Lincecum will be making a lot of money over the next 4 years while he is arbitration eligible and still under control of the San Francisco Giants. This year he will likely make $13 million, but what about next year? Not only is a salary over $20 million possible if Lincecum continues to pitch like he has, but it should be expected. In fact, if the Giants and Lincecum go year-to-year through the rest of his arbitration period, Lincecum stands to gross close to $100 million counting the $13 million he will likely make this year.

One thing the Giants can't let happen during the arbitration process every offseason is a souring of relations with Lincecum. As long as Lincecum doesn't ask for something completely unheard of like $40 million, the Giants just need to shut up and pay the man what he asks for.

If he does go year to year with the Giants, by the time he gets to the start of his free agent years the contract albatross known as Barry Zito will be off of the Giants' books.

While there is a long time between now and then — speaking as not only a Giants fan but just as someone who follows baseball — the Giants can't let a talent like Lincecum go. While it will take more than $20 million a year to keep him from hitting the open market, the Giants would at least be spending the money on a good starting pitcher rather than one who would cripple the organization as Zito has for the past three seasons.