Tim Lincecum rejected a contract offer of at least 100 million for five years from the Giants, according to a report.Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that Lincecum "seeks a deal for seven or eight years but would be content to do a one- or two-year contract if no megadeal can be accomplished now."
After two Cy Young Awards and a World Series Championship in his first four full MLB seasons, Lincecum is coming off what could be considered a down year for him. He went 13-14 with a 2.74 ERA and 220 strikeouts.
Lincecum, 27, is coming off a two-year, 23-million contract that expired after the 2011 season, and the Giants would like to reach a new agreement to avoid a potentially record-breaking arbitration hearing.Heyman and others have speculated that Lincecum could become the game's first 200-million pitcher if he becomes a free agent after the 2013 season.Co-ace Matt Cain can become a free agent a year before Lincecum, and Heyman cites "Giants people" as saying talks are "ongoing" between Cain and the team.Heyman also writes that there is optimism that the Giants "can keep Cain on a longterm deal for under 20 million a year."Giants fans -- which ace do you think signs on the dotted line of a new contract first?
Rael Enteen is a web producer with CSNBayArea.com. Follow him on Twitter @RaelEnteenCSN.
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