San Francisco Giants: 10 Reasons Tim Lincecum Still Needs to Be Locked Up

The San Francisco Giants are doing all they can to hold onto their rotation, getting work done early on negotiations for Matt Cain's extension, while securing Lincecum's future in San Francisco for two years at $40.5 million.

It is becoming likely that both pitchers will remain Giants for the near future. But as the leader of one of the top rotations in baseball, it is imperative that Lincecum remain a Giant, not just for the short term, but for the long term.

Read on for a look at some reasons why San Francisco needs to lock up "The Freak."

True Aces Are at a Premium

The Giants are lucky enough to have two No.1 starters in Lincecum and Cain at the top of the rotation. While Cain would have more spotlight if the offense could give him some decent run support when he's pitching, Lincecum is the undisputed ace in San Fran.

An ace could be defined as a pitcher with spectacular stuff, one or more Cy Young Awards and someone who scares opposing teams when he is on the mound.

Tim is all of these things and more. Of all the pitchers in the majors, there are very few true aces like him: Justin Verlander, Cliff Lee and Clayton Kershaw are a few examples. These guys anchor rotations and are hard enough to come by.

So why let a talent like Lincecum walk away?

Lincecum Will Only Get More Expensive

The Freak has already won two Cy Young Awards, and it's not a stretch to say that he can win more.

Lincecum is just getting into his best years as a pitcher, and despite concerns about the long-term relationship between his body, pitching motion and subsequent production, Tim will be performing at a high level for the foreseeable future.

Whether it is 200-plus strikeouts or more Cy Young Awards, the Giants would be wise to lock up Lincecum while they still have some negotiating power. His value is only going to go up.

Timmy Is a Fan Favorite

With all the personas on the team that fans love—the Panda, the Beard, the Baby Giraffe—the Freak is still one of those favorites at the top of the list. 

Fan interest has never been higher for the Giants, and the streak of sold-out home games will probably continue into 2012.

San Francisco has been a top-10 team in attendance the last three years, and giving fans the chance to see Lincecum in action in years to come will ensure that the seats stay filled.

The Risk Is Low

There is little risk in giving Lincecum a long-term deal. This isn't the Barry Zito situation, where after receiving the huge contract, he becomes the one of the biggest flops in sports history. The Freak has plenty left in the tank and will show it in 2012.

With the concerns of how Lincecum's body will hold up, the fact that he has never had a major injury and has been very healthy throughout his career stands out.

And if management is still worried, a possible solution would be to "front load" Lincecum's contract and dampen the hit from any setbacks later in his career.

Other Teams Are on the Prowl

Tim is wary of signing a long-term deal, and with good reason. He doesn't want to come back and consign himself to average records like 13-14 when there are greener pastures with high-powered offenses waiting to support him.

It might seem like a long time, but two years will go by very quickly.

Although San Francisco can no longer be called a "small market" team, if they don't get Lincecum locked up soon, they risk getting in a bidding war with the seemingly infinite budget of the Yankees or some other team willing to splurge for the Freak's services.

The Money Is There, so Secure the Foundation of the Team

The bread and butter of the San Francisco Giants in recent years has been the pitching. From the starters to the bullpen, the workhorse slingers have kept the Orange and Black in countless games, often with little help from the lineup.

Brian Sabean has stated that contrary to popular belief, the Giants can afford to keep both Lincecum and Cain. As always, fans have no choice but to trust that management will do what is best for the team.

The days of the Giants spending $100 million on a player in free agency died with the Zito debacle, but that money would be better spent in keeping Lincecum and the rotation together.

One Less Thing to Worry About

Matt Cain seems more likely to accept a long-term deal than Lincecum as of this moment, but is still negotiating with the team. The Rowand and Huff contracts are coming off the books after the 2012 season, and the Zito contract probably and mercifully will end on a buyout in 2014.

The spending money that will come from the end of those veteran contracts will quickly be allocated to signing rising stars like Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner, whose price tags will skyrocket as they start to fulfill their potentials and firmly establish themselves in baseball.

Sabean and the rest of the Giants management will be able to rest easy, knowing that Lincecum and the rotation will remain intact.

Lincecum Is Motivated and Preparing for an Awesome 2012

According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Lincecum is down to a pitching weight of 175 pounds after ending last season near 190.

He also cut out well-publicized meals at In'N'Out Burger and started swimming in a counter-current pool in an effort to get in shape. 

Fitness has been an issue for several Giants players, but it is looking like Tim will not be one of those guys. He will be in great physical condition for the start of the new season.

The Freak Completes the Giants Rotation

Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner would still make the Giants rotation a formidable one if Tim were to leave San Francisco in the future. But why let that happen?

A Giants staff without Lincecum just isn't the same. Similar to the argument for Justin Verlander as MVP, the threat of a dominant ace like Lincecum changes the way that opposing teams prepare for the Giants.

And in the end, the team is still better with the Freak than without him.

Lincecum Is the Face of the Franchise

Fans will continue to pack AT&T Park to see Timmy. He'll continue to be one of the biggest stars in MLB. When he gets his likely coming long-term deal, he'll restore the confidence of Giants management in giving multi-year contracts.

Most of all, Lincecum represents the identity of the team and the best of the Giants Way.

When everything is said and done, San Francisco will have another player worthy of being immortalized in a long-haired, Marichal-esque statue of his own.