5 Reasons Why Lincecum Gets His Money

Here is why Giants ace Tim Lincecum should --and likely will -- win his arbitration case (he's asking for $13 million, the Giants offered $8 million):

• He's earned it. Two Cy Young Awards in his first two full seasons. What else needs to be said?
• Makeup money. In relative terms, Lincecum has been grossly underpaid the past two seasons. At $650,000 in 2009 and $405,000 in 2008, the kid has delivered more per dollar, by far, than any player in the major leagues.
• He's worth it. When you think about it (and consider some of the other off-the-charts salaries being tossed around), $13 million would still be a bargain for a guy who, believe it or not, will be looking to improve upon back-to-back Cy Young seasons.
• He's the face of the organization. The Giants have been milking the hell out of this kid in the offseason -- he's part of every promo, his mug is plastered all over the Web site, they're using him to sell tickets. It's not just about what he's giving them on the field every fifth day.
• He's a draw (kinda ties in with the previous point). That quirky delivery; that freakish velocity; that hair; that baby face; those strikeouts and those wins. They all add up to fannies in the seats at AT&T Park.

The fact that Lincecum has to go to arbitration in the first place has most fans and area media a little pissed. The bottom line: If he loses, nobody wins ... including the Giants.