If you can't beat them, join them. Well, that's not exactly the case with Tim Lincecum, but would be with the San Diego Padres if they decide to sign the free agent pitcher.
Lincecum, whose entire nine-year career has been with the Giants, has enjoyed an abundance of success when facing the Padres. And now, the two-time Cy Young award winner is on San Diego's radar.
“I’ve talked with the Padres a number of times throughout the offseason, but I’ve also spoken to quite a few other teams,” Lincecum’s agent, Rick Thurman, told The San Diego Union Tribune on Saturday.
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SIGN UP HERE Lincecum has twice thrown a no-hitter against the Padres. He threw the first no-hitter in Petco Park history on July 13, 2013, and then tossed another one year later on June 25, 2014 at AT&T Park.
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In 33 career games against San Diego, Lincecum is 18-6 with a 2.20 ERA. His 18 wins are the most against any team he has faced and a 2.20 ERA is his best with at least 10 starts.
San Diego has also been quite the friendly park for Lincecum. In 18 games at Petco Park, he sports a 9-3 record with a 2.41 ERA.
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After undergoing hip surgery on Sept. 3, it was thought that Lincecum would host a showcase to show where he stands in mid-January, but has since been pushed back. Thurman said at least 20 teams have requested medical information on the righty.
When Lincecum does finally have that showcase, the Padres will be in attendance as well as the Giants.
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“We’ve been monitoring him all along,” Giants vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean said.
The Giants seem set with their starting rotation after signing Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija this offseason, and even have Chris Heston as a sixth option. But, the door hasn't been closed on a reunion in San Francisco.
“Who knows … (him leaving) is not a done deal,” Bochy said. “We’re going to take a look at him.”
The last four seasons, from 2012-2015, Lincecum has struggled mightily from what he once was. In that span, The Freak went 39-42 with a 4.68 ERA.