Tim Lincecum is reportedly returning to Major League Baseball.
After reports surfaced on Tuesday morning that both the Rangers and Dodgers were willing to offer Lincecum a major league deal, Texas and the left-handed pitcher agreed to terms on Tuesday afternoon, according to Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.
source: lincecum will go to texas
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 27, 2018
Interestingly, the Rangers may be interested in turning the long-time starter into their closer per Heyman.
update: rangers making progress in talks with lincecum. potentially, could wind up as closer. @JeffPassan is on it. here’s what i wrote this morn. https://t.co/MZ61z5vc24
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 27, 2018
Lincecum, 33, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2016, but held an impressive showcase for major league scouts earlier this month, where his fastball speed averaged between 90-93 MPH, a vast improvement from the 87.7 MPH he was averaging during his 2016 campaign with the Angels. Lincecum posted a 9.16 ERA that season in nine starts before being designated for assignment.
Lincecum hasn’t posted a sub 4.00 ERA since 2011, when he finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting. From 2008-11 Lincecum was one of the best starters in baseball, winning two Cy Young Awards, and being named to the NL All-Star team in four consecutive seasons. After being selected 10th overall in the 2006 draft, Lincecum was a member of the Giants from 2007-2015, posting a 3.61 ERA during that stretch while contributing to three World Series winning teams.