Sabean: Lincecum's fastball 'is not gonna come back'

He needs to pitch with his head. Maybe the new haircut will help.

That's a significant drop in velocity in just one year. It sounds like Sabean is throwing down the gauntlet by telling Timmy he needs to change his approach to pitching.

This is the reason you go shorter term with yound outstanding pitching unless they are willing to take a discount

I thought all this legalizing marijuana in some states was suppose to fix this problem. Lets wait and see. He could be throwing at 98mph by July.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:09 AM ET  02.13 by THE BISHOP!

That's a significant drop in velocity in just one year. It sounds like Sabean is throwing down the gauntlet by telling Timmy he needs to change his approach to pitching.

Maybe adopt a few new pitches?

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET  02.13 by Flea Biscuit

Makes it easier to cut ties with him after this year

Looks like Timmy screwed up when he decided to go free agent instead of negotiating an extension. Another year like last year, and he'll be taking massive pay cut.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  02.13 by The Moose

Looks like Timmy screwed up when he decided to go free agent instead of negotiating an extension. Another year like last year, and he'll be taking massive pay cut.

Must have been his drug addled brain not thinking properly.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  02.13 by The Moose

Looks like Timmy screwed up when he decided to go free agent instead of negotiating an extension. Another year like last year, and he'll be taking massive pay cut.

Maybe screwed up for him.... but not baseball!!! ;-)

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET  02.13 by clemtheslowson

Must have been his drug addled brain not thinking properly.

He got greedy. Interesting that Sabean thinks his heater is gone for good.

He's still got enough velocity to be effective...he's got to adapt though. Be in command of your pitches, maybe even learn another pitch and yes, pitch to contact. I think he'll put it all back together eventually.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:18 AM ET  02.13 by Yogi-Zen

He's still got enough velocity to be effective...he's got to adapt though. Be in command of your pitches, maybe even learn another pitch and yes, pitch to contact. I think he'll put it all back together eventually.

Remember John Tudor - fastball was about 90... And there are many examples.... but you have to be able to locate, locate, locate.... with a finesse for changing speeds....

Greg Maddux averaged 85.4 for his fastball and he managed just fine. It's location and the ability to keep the batter guessing, not just velocity.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:26 AM ET  02.13 by Lex-LOU-thor

Remember John Tudor - fastball was about 90... And there are many examples.... but you have to be able to locate, locate, locate.... with a finesse for changing speeds....

Yes! And I think too that when Tim lost velocity he tried painting the corners more and so his walks went up. Changing speeds like you said is going to be a big part of his game now if he's going to be successful and doing that will set up his fastball better.

If he has a Guidry-like slider or some other excellent secondary pitch he still can be effective but even then I tend to believe he should be in the pen being groomed as a closer.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 10:37 AM ET  02.13 by Yogi-Zen

Yes! And I think too that when Tim lost velocity he tried painting the corners more and so his walks went up. Changing speeds like you said is going to be a big part of his game now if he's going to be successful and doing that will set up his fastball better.

And that's the funny part - you don't have to "paint the corners".... (up and in) and (low and away) - when the hitters aren't expecting it. Location is going where the hitter isn't ready for it. To many "paint", walk the guy and then make a mistake to the next hitter..... that's a bad mix.

wiseup: I remember Tom Seaver once said that pitching has three components to be a good pitcher; 1. velocity 2.location and 3. movement. If you command two of those in any game you stand a chance of winning. I would say Seaver did quite well.