So are we concerned about Tim Lincecum yet?

[FedEx227]

Could potentially just be a dead arm but it's concerning since his velocity has been on the decline. You always worry about that no matter how well he use to pitch. A lot of guys don't have a ton of wiggle room once their speed drops off. I hope he can get over it because he's still a great pitcher to watch but I'd be extremely concerned.

He's still getting swing and misses but when people make contact they are making VERY solid contact.

[Tailback U]

This is all that's on sports radio here in the bay area.

I'm not panicking just yet, although it is concerning. People are talking about how it could be a mechanical issue, pointing to a similar situation a couple years ago where he struggled until his dad pointed out something to fix his mechanics.

Probably just the homer in me, but I think he will turn it around and find his way, although I do think he will slow down eventually because his fastball won't get better as time goes on.

[Slateman]

So I've done a little research (oh dear God, help us all)

Didn't Lincecum say that he wasn't going to throw his slider any more? Either pitch tracks have confused his slider with another pitch, or he is confusing his slider with fastball. He's still throwing it as much as last year.

In addition to the drop in velocity on his fastball, his breaking stuff isn't breaking as much. Pitches are getting left up more. He's still striking guys out, but opposing teams are also getting a lot of hits. IIRC, his BABIP against is over .400. While I don't think that will sustain throughout the season, it does show that opposing batters are having a far easier time hitting against him. Which is probably, in large part, due to the drop in velocity on his fastball. 93 average touching 96-97 his hard to hit. 90 average touching 93 is well ... middle of the rotation type of fastball. Combine that with less movement on his pitches and a smaller velocity gap between change and fastball, and it makes Timmy look quite hittable.

Could potentially just be a dead arm but it's concerning since his velocity has been on the decline. You always worry about that no matter how well he use to pitch. A lot of guys don't have a ton of wiggle room once their speed drops off. I hope he can get over it because he's still a great pitcher to watch but I'd be extremely concerned.

He's still getting swing and misses but when people make contact they are making VERY solid contact.

There's nothing "just" about dead arm syndrome. It's quite dangerous if not treated properly. And it takes a while to recover from.

Maybe I'm reading in to it too much, but I think the fact that Cain and Bumgarner got extensions but Lincecum didn't is telling.

[Goober]

So I've done a little research (oh dear God, help us all)

Didn't Lincecum say that he wasn't going to throw his slider any more? Either pitch tracks have confused his slider with another pitch, or he is confusing his slider with fastball. He's still throwing it as much as last year.

John Maerzke @jmaerzke

@keithlaw @AdamDoctolero I know that Pitch f/x is flawed in that a person has to categorize every pitch. But pitch f/x says 17% sliders.

keithlaw @keithlaw

@jmaerzke I think that's a good example of why you can't take those data sources as gospel.

Adam Doctolero @AdamDoctolero

@jmaerzke yeah, like i said, i thought they were sliders, probably cutters.

[Slateman]

How about now?

Last start: 5 IP, 2H, 3BB, 3ER, 4SO

He averaged 89mph on his fastball. Topped out at 91.5

[Chrispy]

He wasn't bad, only had a bad first inning then settled down.

[Slateman]

It's not that he was bad or not bad. It's that he went a whopping 5 innings. And couldn't crack 92 mph on his fastball. And he's still walking guys at a high rate.

[Slateman]

Bump. Quarter of the season done. Lincecum still struggling. Still can't hit 92 or greater on the gun. Still giving up a lot of hits and walks.

On the other hand, the guy is throwing a ton of pitches. So at least we know his arm is strong?

[Villain]

He's throwing a lot of pitches but he's not throwing a lot of innings.

[Slateman]

He's throwing a lot of pitches but he's not throwing a lot of innings.

He got 7 last night. It took him 120+ pitches to do it. He's throwing a lot of pitches per inning. Which highlights his issues with velocity and break. He's still striking a lot of batters out. But this is far from the Timmy of old. I'm thinking the Giants did the right thing by not signing him to a long term deal.

[Chrispy]

T Lincecum (W, 3-8)	7.0	4	0	0	2	8	0	115-70	5.60

He did face the Dodgers but better

[Guest]

The key to take away from here is that he didn't struggle in the first inning like he normally does. Hopefully that gets him back into his groove.

[Villain]

The key to take away from here is that he didn't face a line-up that has been putting up any runs against any pitcher over the last two weeks.

/Fixed.

[MVPete]

This is about as big an indicator as Luke Hochevar getting a shutout vs the Rays AAA squad.

[Goober]

So, Tim Lincecum's last three starts:
21.1 IP, 2.53 ERA, 13.5 K/9, 2.95 BB/9, 1.79 FIP.

If the Giants make him available, he's hands down the best starter on the market. Will be interesting to see what happens with him in FA, I'd be willing to throw a lot of money at him on a short term deal.