BREAKING: Lincecum signs two-year deal with Giants (updated) | Giants Extra

I'm not sure about the part about being the most recognizable pitcher in franchise history (Marichal was pretty good), but I'm glad The Freak is back. I still believe he can make a successful transition from power pitcher to finesse pitcher and have many more productive years. A two year deal guarantees a motivated Timmy, he'll be pitching for that blockbuster deal down the road. He's piecing it together in two year increments, so he has to be very confident in both his health and his productivity.

from  Giants Extra:
BREAKING: Lincecum signs two-year deal with Giants (updated) | Giants Extra:

The most recognizable pitcher in franchise history will be a Giant for at least two more seasons.

The Giants and right-hander Tim Lincecum agreed to a two-year, $35 million deal Tuesday, pending a physical. Lincecum, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was days away from becoming a free agent for the first time.

Drafted 10th overall in 2006, Lincecum is 89-70 in seven seasons with the Giants with a 3.46 ERA. He was 10-14 last season with a 4.37 ERA and threw his first career no-hitter. Lincecum’s velocity has dipped in recent years and there were questions about his ability to remain a starting pitcher. But Lincecum, 29, adjusted his routine last season, spending more time studying hitters and setting them up.

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Report: Lincecum to Test Free Agency Market

When they seem to speak in the past tense, that can't be good for the odds of a return to SF for Timmy.
So, no Zito, no Vogelsong, no Lincecum would mean a 3/5 change in the starting staff in one year. That is quite an overhaul. It would as if you got rid of 5 of the 8 bats in the starting lineup.

Heeeeeey wait a minute........

Lincecum: 'It's been a really special time here for me'

Report: Lincecum to Test Free Agency Market:

The Giants have presented a two-year structure to Lincecum but talks haven’t progressed; assuming nothing gets done before the end of the World Series, the Giants plans to make him a qualifying offer (one year, almost $14 million) that would set them up to receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.

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The Barry Zito Goodbye Report

Agreed. Classy, classy move. Sometimes value is measured in ways that don't lend themselves to measurement. And sometimes it's about more than wins and losses. It has to be.

from billy-ball.com:
The Barry Zito Goodbye Report:

.....Barry Zito said goodbye to San Francisco in a full-page ad.

Class act.

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Exit Zito

It didn't have all the glitz and glamour of Mariano Rivera's exit, but this was just as moving a ceremony for Giants fans, for different reasons. A lot of bumps and bruises on the way to this send off. A great way to say good bye to a guy who has exhibited a huge amount of grace under pressure. The fans recognized it and made their feelings known.

from Giants Extra:
Zito: “Having that way of going out as a Giant? Wow.” | Giants Extra:

Four days after earning a win in his final start for the organization, Zito was in standby mode as manager Bruce Bochy looked for the right opportunity to let Zito get a proper goodbye from Giants fans. Bochy pulled Zito for a pinch-hitter on Wednesday, but he cooked up a brilliant plan Sunday. Zito was on hold to face left-hander Mark Kotsay, a former A’s teammate who was playing his final big league game.

“If that didn’t work out, I would find a way,” Bochy said. “I wanted to give him the great sendoff he deserves.”

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