Molina: Lincecum lacks that special something

Velocity? Control?

Given the fact that it's usually one inning that he craps the bed and otherwise is his usual self, I tend to think his issues this year are mental.

Maybe he's freaking out about whether he should have signed a long-term extension for the security as opposed to opting for the two-year deal with a shot at free agency.

Then again, maybe he just sucks now.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET  06.26 by SlinkyRedfoot

Given the fact that it's usually one inning that he craps the bed and otherwise is his usual self, I tend to think his issues this year are mental.Maybe he's freaking out about whether he should have signed a long-term extension for the security as opposed to opting for the two-year deal with a shot at free agency.Then again, maybe he just sucks now.

The sudden loss of velocity is definitely a red flag. I do hope he returns to form, he is fun to watch and good for the game.

i think he's not big enough to throw that hard. need's to bulk-up some and gain arm strength which he has lost

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:58 AM ET  06.26 by jnorman41

The sudden loss of velocity is definitely a red flag. I do hope he returns to form, he is fun to watch and good for the game.

Well, it's not sudden. His average fastball velocity has, more or less, been dropping since 2008.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=5705&position=P#pfx pitchvelocity

I think he needs to come to terms with it and adapt. Look at his last game against the A's - craps the bed in the first, allowing three runs, and then doesn't allow a hit in the subsequent five innings.

He's still got a 9.9 K/9, which ranks 5th in baseball, so it's not like his drop in velocity has robbed him completely of his effectiveness. He's just got to get his mind around it, I think.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:14 AM ET  06.26 by SlinkyRedfoot

Well, it's not sudden. His average fastball velocity has, more or less, been dropping since 2008.http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=5705&position=P#pfx pitchvelocityI think he needs to come to terms with it and adapt. Look at his last game against the A's - craps the bed in the first, allowing three runs, and then doesn't allow a hit in the subsequent five innings.He's still got a 9.9 K/9, which ranks 5th in baseball, so it's not like his drop in velocity has robbed him completely of his effectiveness. He's just got to get his mind around it, I think.

That's a great site, really breaks everything down. I agree, 90 mph is still good enough to get guys out. He now needs to learn how to be a pitcher instead of just a thrower. Kind of like Pedro when his velocity dropped from 97 to 90.

Let's review Kerry Wood and Nolan Ryan. If you have a messed up delivery, you may get some time as a great pitcher, but eventually the odd motions will cause injuries and keep you from a long career. Lincecum has a wierd windup...anything out of whack and he is ... gasp ... a batting practice pitcher.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:50 AM ET  06.26 by SlinkyRedfoot

Given the fact that it's usually one inning that he craps the bed and otherwise is his usual self, I tend to think his issues this year are mental.Maybe he's freaking out about whether he should have signed a long-term extension for the security as opposed to opting for the two-year deal with a shot at free agency.Then again, maybe he just sucks now.

This is exactly right. He typically has one inning where he soils his knickers and then pitches well the rest of the outing. That tells me it's between his ears.

Father time catches up to everyone

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:50 AM ET  06.26 by williewilliejuan

This is exactly right. He typically has one inning where he soils his knickers and then pitches well the rest of the outing. That tells me it's between his ears.

The lower velocity tells me that his margin for error has decreased.

The wear and tear of that unorthodox pitching motion is catching up to him.....

The Freak lacks a certain je ne sais quoi.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:05 AM ET  06.26 by Sgt. Schultz

The wear and tear of that unorthodox pitching motion is catching up to him.....

I think so too.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET  06.26 by jnorman41

That's a great site, really breaks everything down. I agree, 90 mph is still good enough to get guys out. He now needs to learn how to be a pitcher instead of just a thrower. Kind of like Pedro when his velocity dropped from 97 to 90.

When Pedro became a "thrower," he began a long, slow, steady slide through injury and declining win percentage to retirement... One does not "adapt" to a drop from high nineties to 90 (or less)... One gets rocked and released... Timmy is 28, with fewer ML innings on his shoulder than Pedro had at the same stage of his career. They are the same height, with effectively the same playing weight. BUT, they have COMPLETELY different throwing motions... Timmy has so many different quirks in his that any ONE twitch and he's giving up five in an inning. His off-season weight loss probably didn't help, either.

Long and short, he is NOT coming back to form IN SEASON... He is worse than a replacement level pitcher and should be shelved... If they can afford to write off Zito over the last few years, they can send Timmy to Fresno to sort himself out... His starts are L's waiting to happen and the Giants have almost caught the Dodgers IN SPITE of Lincecum...

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 11:19 AM ET  06.26 by sefreimont

When Pedro became a "thrower," he began a long, slow, steady slide through injury and declining win percentage to retirement... One does not "adapt" to a drop from high nineties to 90 (or less)... One gets rocked and released... Timmy is 28, with fewer ML innings on his shoulder than Pedro had at the same stage of his career. They are the same height, with effectively the same playing weight. BUT, they have COMPLETELY different throwing motions... Timmy has so many different quirks in his that any ONE twitch and he's giving up five in an inning. His off-season weight loss probably didn't help, either.Long and short, he is NOT coming back to form IN SEASON... He is worse than a replacement level pitcher and should be shelved... If they can afford to write off Zito over the last few years, they can send Timmy to Fresno to sort himself out... His starts are L's waiting to happen and the Giants have almost caught the Dodgers IN SPITE of Lincecum...

plenty of pitchers have made the transition from "thrower" to "pitcher", plenty haven't...

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 11:25 AM ET  06.26 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

plenty of pitchers have made the transition from "thrower" to "pitcher", plenty haven't...

Exactly. Apparently Timmy is learning the hard way, but there's still time.

The Giants have Bumgarner and Cain...I think they'll be okay.

maybe lincecum needs a extra day off,,,

I'm going to the game tomorrow. A day game against the *@#+ Dodgers will be the righting of the Lincecum ship.