Giants ace Tim Linecum reports to camp after 2-year, $23M deal to avoid arbitration

Giants ace Tim Linecum in camp after $23M deal

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tim Lincecum might have thought he was on a mound last Friday, not outside a St. Petersburg arbitration hearing room.

The two-time Cy Young award winner said: “My adrenaline kicked in a little bit.”

Lincecum, who reported to Giants camp with pitchers and catchers Thursday, avoided an arbitration hearing at literally the last hour, when he and the Giants agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract. He will make $8 million this season and $13 million in 2011, with a $2 million bonus to be split between the two seasons.

The 25-year-old Lincecum’s contract was the richest signed by a first-year arbitration-eligible player, exceeding the $6.25 million contract Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon signed last January to avoid arbitration.