According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury, the San Francisco Giants and Rick Thurman, the agent for Tim Lincecum, have not engaged in significant contract negotiations. Thurman is convinced that the case will go to the hearing stage.

The Giants have not discussed a one-year deal and talks have been limited to “some very insignificant two-year conversations,” which leads him to believe that “it’s quite clear the case is headed to a hearing.”

Thurman has been very surprised at the lack of conversation between him and the Giants, adding, “I think that’s the direction (a hearing) they’ve wanted this to go from Day 1 simply because there’s been little or no discussions with regards to a contract.”

Lincecum has asked for $13 million and the Giants have offered $8 million. Given that these are realistic numbers as opposed obscenely too high or two low of a number means that both sides are prepared to go all the way to a hearing.

It is likely that Lincecum will continue going 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.