Losing ace Garrett Richards put the Los Angeles Angels in a tough spot. They chose to take a gamble. Two-time National League Cy Young Award Winner Tim Linceum might not seem risky. However, 11 months removed from his last major league start, he will need to prove he still has life in his arm. Lincecum missed the last two months of the 2015 season with a hip injury. This led to him not re-signing with the San Francisco Giants, the only MLB team he’s ever known. Lincecum won the 2008 and 2009 Cy Young while with the Giants, and helped them to three World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. After Lincecum’s showcase session for interested teams on May 6, the Angels emerged as the top landing spot for the right-hander. His one-year deal will earn him about $2 million. The plan is for Lincecum to spend about a month in the minor leagues, after which he hopes to earn a spot in the big-league starting rotation, and help the Angels return to the postseason.
