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After taking the MLB offseason by storm, everyone knows the Chicago Cubs are a favorite to not only win the NL Central in 2016, but the World Series for the first time since 1908.
Although I haven’t fully gotten on that train as many things can happen from now until October, no one can deny the offensive potential of this team. With that being said, I still think the Cubs are light on starting pitching. Yes, I realize they signed John Lackey to a two-year deal, but he’s also 37. What happens if Jon Lester misses some time? What happens if Jake Arrieta gets hurt? The Cubs will have to rely on their offense to score 18 runs a game, and that’s not something they can bank on.
Enter Tim Lincecum. Most Cub fans will remember Lincecum being a Cubs pick out of high school, not signing, then dominating at Washington to end up being a top pick for the San Francisco Giants, and of course going on to win multiple Cy Young awards. Unfortunately, that Lincecum is over and done with, never to be seen again.
However, that doesn’t mean Timmy couldn’t serve a role on this year’s Cubs team. What Chicago needs right now is depth, and Linecum provides that. Sure, he’s coming back from a hip problem, but all that tells me is that his services can be acquired at a bargain in an incentive-laden deal.
If he doesn’t play, no problem. If he’s healthy enough to pitch, he’s a quality insurance package as Chris Bosio has done okay with reinventing pitchers after they’ve supposedly “lost a step.”
My point is simple: Depth is needed and Lincecum can provide it. The Cubs are all-in, so why not sign a few guys like this? It isn’t going to add a ton of money to the payroll, and it would be a one-year deal. Little risk, potentially big and important reward.
Is there any Cubs fan that would be against a one-year, $4 million dollar guarantee deal if he makes the team out of Spring Training? With another $6-8 million in incentives? Is Timmy going to get something better on the free agent market?
With the majority of the roster set, the Theo Epstein and co. should be looking at deals like this, just in case the Cubs do Cubs-like things in 2016.
