Is Tim Lincecum Finished?

[novakjr]

Hope he turns it around. He was my 2nd round pick in fantasy this year, and he's been killing me. Loaded up on some DL options just in case he doesn't turn it around though.

As far as predictions of his early demise. I believe most of those were based on the injury probability, rather than people figuring him out. Don't get me wrong, dude's looked bad, but usually for 1 inning per game. In most of his starts, it's just one meltdown inning(at random), and the rest of the time, he looks like old Timmy...Usually the meltdown begins with an infield single, an error, or one of those 12 pitch at bats where he just can't seem to put the guy away. Personally, I think it's all mental.

Supposedly, he quit smoking pot, which could be part of his mental issues. He's just not used to dealing with adversity, where as in the past, I think he was too high to notice it. As a man in the trades, I've had to deal with plenty of "functional potheads" over the years, and I've seen plenty of meltdowns once they've quit(usually irritability, frustration, and an inability to focus). and more often than not, it just takes some time for them to become "functional non-potheads"

Keep in mind, I'm not advocating the use of pot. Just offering some insight into what might be Timmy's issues...

[Brendan]

It's been clear (atleast to me) since his first good year this was going to happen. It happens to so many pitchers. Considering the stress he puts on his arm and his size, this was almost inevitable. I do think he can continue his career as a slightly below average pitcher, but he needs to make two corrections. First, he needs to stop smoking so much weed. (though I hear he quit...which I don't believe for a second, but if it is the case and it's causing him to pitch like this, then maybe he should start back up again or quit during the offseason) Second, he needs to stop overthrowing. He doesn't throw 95 mph anymore and he never will again. He's too stubborn to just throw 90 and locate his pitches. Instead, he attempts to keep his velocity up at the expense of his command. If he sucks it up and throws 89-90 and locates his pitches he may be able to have a full career.