Many speculated that Tim Lincecum would ask for $20+ million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. However, when it came time for numbers to be exchanged, Lincecum’s camp came out with $13 million as their number.

According to the San Jose Mercury, because of the relatively low number, one executive expects the arbitration case to go all the way to a hearing. “Maybe they thought it’s a number they could defend if it actually goes to a hearing,” the executive said. “If you file an obscenely high number — say $20 million and the Giants offer $8 million — your client ends up losing real dollars. (The $13 million proposal) is still an incredibly high number, but if it’s realistic you give yourself a shot.

It is possible that this case will be settled before going in front of an arbitrator since most do, but Lincecum’s agent, Rick Thurman, has said that he hasn’t spoken to the team since numbers were exchanged.

Thurman also would not comment on any long-term discussions regarding Lincecum. It is likely that Lincecum will go year-to-year to maximize his contracts until he’s a free agent after the 2013 season. If possible, players tend to sign long-term deals for security, but in exchange they provide the team a discount.

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