Does Lincecum deserve 13 million in Arbitration
The Following artice was taken from MLB.com:
Tim Lincecum appeared poised to lengthen his list of outlandish accomplishments after teams and players exchanged salary arbitration figures on Tuesday.
Lincecum, the Giants right-hander who has won the last two National League Cy Young Awards, filed for a one-year salary of $13 million, which would be the richest contract awarded in arbitration if he receives it. The Giants countered with an $8 million offer. If the sides cannot compromise, an arbitration panel will conduct a hearing in February and select one of the figures.
Typically, clubs and players avoid a hearing, which can be rancorous, and agree to split the difference. If the Giants and Lincecum met at the midpoint, he'd garner $10.5 million -- the largest salary for a third-year Major Leaguer. The third-year ceiling, $10 million, was reached by Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, who won his 2008 arbitration case, and also then-Yankees slugger Alfonso Soriano (2006) and then-Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez (2008), who lost theirs.
Even if Lincecum loses in a hearing, his $8 million consolation prize would establish a record for a first-time arbitration-eligible pitcher. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon set that standard last January when he avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $6.25 million base salary.
As much as the Giants value Lincecum, who has become the face of their franchise along with third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the club can be expected to give ground grudgingly in negotiations with him. Assuming that catcher Bengie Molina's signing becomes official, the Giants already have committed more than $73 million to 12 players. San Francisco's payroll limit is currently hovering in the low-$90 million range.
Now that was a great article by Chris Haft of MLB.com
So the question to my readers is do you think he deserves the money? Me personally no 13 million for one year is outrageous but with the times we live in and the owners spending tons of money, he will get it.
