Tim Lincecum and High Paid Pitchers

WTCG

It was reported today that the Giants signed Tim Lincecum for his last last two arbitration years at roughly 20.25 million/ year. The SF Giants are a notoriously cheap team but that 20.25 million/ year number is definitely up there in the top tier of baseball.

Has me thinking, who are the five or so highest paid pitchers in baseball today?

digicat

For 2012 salaries:

#1 = Johan Santana. $24 mil
#2 = CC Sabathia. $23 mil
#3 = Cliff Lee. $21.5 mil
#4 = Justin Verlander. $20 mil
#4 = Roy Halladay. $20 mil

After that:
#6 = Barry Zito. $19 mil
#7 = Tim Lincecum. $18.5 mil (goes up to $22 mil in 2013).
#8 = Carlos Zambrano. $18 mil
#9 = Jake Peavy. $17 mil
#10 = A.J. Burnett. $16.5 mil

digicat

Whether these guys are WORTH the money is questionable.

Here's their 2011 performance: (with era+, 100 would represent league avg)

#1 Santana = did not play
#2 Sabathia = 147 era+, 4th in AL CYA voting
#3 Lee = 161 era+, 3rd in NL CYA voting
#4 Verlander = 170 era+, won AL CYA
#4 Halladay = 164 era+, 2nd in NL CYA voting

#6 Zito = 61 era+
#7 Lincecum = 130 era+, 6th in NL CYA voting
#8 Zambrano = 81 era+
#9 Peavy = 86 era+
#10 Burnett = 86 era+

So, out of the top 10, half were elite pitchers, 1 didn't play, and the other 4 sucked.

WTCG

Had no idea Verlander was already that highly paid. If he keeps up his 2011 performance I can only imagine what he would bring once he hits free agency.

The Carlos Zambrano figure makes me feel a bit better about the dead weight that is Zito. At least Barry didn't clean out his locker and "retire" after laying an egg on the mound.

digicat

<< <i>. At least Barry didn't clean out his locker and "retire" after laying an egg on the mound. >>



Nah. When Zito sucks, he sucks with class.

Connecticoin

#11 has to be that toad Lackey.

57loaded

<< <i>

<< <i>. At least Barry didn't clean out his locker and "retire" after laying an egg on the mound. >>



Nah. When Zito sucks, he sucks with class. >>




his agent (if not all) has some type of "abandonment/voluntarily retirement clause" in his contract with Zito that might cost Zito his right arm ('cuz his left arm is useless )

digicat

<< <i>#11 has to be that toad Lackey. >>



Actually, Lackey's #12 at $15.3 mil. #11 is Beckett at $15.8 mil.

Of the top 10 highest paid pitchers in 2012, Timmy's the youngest.

#1 Santana = 32
#2 Sabathia = 31
#3 Lee = 33
#4 Verlander = 28
#4 Halladay = 34
#6 Zito = 33
#7 Lincecum = 27
#8 Zambrano = 30
#9 Peavy = 30
#10 Burnett = 35

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>#11 has to be that toad Lackey. >>



Actually, Lackey's #12 at $15.3 mil. #11 is Beckett at $15.8 mil.

>>



I think the Sox are getting a great deal: for their $15.3 million this year, Lackey won't stink even one time! Way better than paying him to pitch.