MLB Rumors: Tim Lincecum close to signing with Angels

Tim Lincecum is reportedly expected to sign with the Angels very shortly.

Tim Lincecum, coming off a significant hip surgery, recently threw for over 20 MLB teams at the minor league complex of the San Francisco Giants. With pitching at a premium and Lincecum’s track record, it was only a matter of time before Lincecum got signed. Reportedly, Lincecum is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

It’s not every day that a two-time NL Cy Young winner is a free agent. The Angels are desperate for starting pitching after the season ending injury to Garrett Richards and the ineffectiveness of most of the remaining starters. Lincecum, should he sign with the Angels, should help stop the bleeding as the Angels pursue other options as they look to make a comeback in a very competitive AL West division.

While Lincecum will surely look strange without a Giants jersey on, the Angels make more sense for Lincecum to sign with than the Giants. Sure, Lincecum is very familiar with the Giants and he’s a hero in the city of San Francisco. Bruce Bochy raves about him. He’s won three World Series with the Giants. However, Lincecum wants to be a starting pitcher while the Giants are looking at him as more of a relief option.

Lincecum has proven to teams that he is healthy enough to contribute this season. He will likely need some minor league time, but with the Angels’ rotation in desperation mode, he will definitely be getting a chance to be a starting pitcher.

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