San Francisco Giants could leave Tim Lincecum off playoff roster

Aug 24, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) walks in the dugout prior to the Giants game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) walks in the dugout prior to the Giants game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Barring a significant collapse, the San Francisco Giants should make the 2014 MLB playoffs.

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Of course, unless they’re able to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers who hold a two game lead (they still have six head-to-head games) they’ll be doing so in a one-game Wild Card play-in game. Assuming they were to win that and make the more traditional version of the MLB playoffs, what would their roster look like?

Might it involve leaving Tim Lincecum off the postseason roster?

It’s something that Grant Brisbee opines given Lincecum’s lack of success this season.

"Until then, I don’t see any way Lincecum makes a postseason roster. The Giants didn’t go with salary and nostalgia in 2010, and they won’t now."

The San Francisco Giants pulled Tim Lincecum from his rotation spot in late August and Yusimero Petit, who took his place, doesn’t seem intent on giving it up. Add in that you don’t need a very deep starting pitching rotation in the postseason and its very clear Lincecum would not be used as a starter in the playoffs.

Could he find a roster spot as a reliever, though? That’s possible considering the Giants have essentially had an revolving door in regards to their final bullpen pitcher all season, though you have to wonder what the level of trust with Lincecum would be.

He hasn’t exactly looked sharp coming out of the bullpen so far and San Francisco has better options ahead of him in a playoff scenario.

Of course, the Giants actually need to make the postseason before such a decision is made though you have to believe they’re already thinking about it.