Lincecum files for arbitration; Giants may make record offer

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum headed 142 players filing for arbitration on Friday and is set to ask for a record salary when figures are exchanged next week.The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner made 13.1 million last season, completing a two-year deal worth 23.2 million.The highest figure ever asked for in arbitration is 22 million, submitted by Houston pitcher Roger Clemens in 2005 after he became a free agent and accepted arbitration. Among players with less than six years of major league service, the high of 18.5 million has been held by Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter since 2001.
San Francisco figures to give Lincecum the highest offer for an arbitration player, topping the 14.25 million the Yankees submitted for offered Jeter.

Most players settle before a hearingJeter agreed to a 189 million, 10-year contract, and Clemens accepted a one-year deal for 18,000,022.Others set to swap figures Tuesday include NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Andre Ethier, Philadelphia pitcher Cole Hamels, World Series star Mike Napoli of Texas and Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza.Also in arbitration are three former free agents who accepted offers from their olds teams: Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, Milwaukee reliever Francisco Rodriguez and Toronto second baseman Kelly Johnson.San Diego has the most players who filed with 11. The Chicago White Sox are the only team without any.Lincecum is 69-41 with a 2.98 ERA in five major league seasons and in 2010 helped the Giants win their first World Series title since 1954. He would be 29 when he becomes eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.While he was just 13-14 last year, his 2.74 ERA was fifth-best in the NL. The Giants scored no runs while he was in the game in seven of 33 starts, had one run six times and two runs five times, according to STATS LLC.Atlanta outfielder Martin Prado became the first player who filed to reach an agreement, getting a 4.75 million, one-year deal.Three players who had been eligible for arbitration agreed to one-year contracts: Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick (3,585,000), Boston Red Sox outfielder Ryan Sweeney (1.75 million) and Pittsburgh right-hander Chris Resop (850,000).Among free agents, shortstop Jack Wilson decided to stay with the Braves for a 1 million, one-year deal.