Lincecum asks for $13M in arbitration

Without naming its sources, the San Jose Mercury News reported Tuesday Lincecum's bid is believed to be the highest ever submitted by a player in his first year of arbitration eligibility -- eclipsing the $10 million asked for and received by Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard in 2008.

The newspaper said the Giants have countered with an $8 million offer. An arbitrator must choose one or the other offer to serve as the 2010 payday for Lincecum, 25, the first pitcher to win Cy Young Awards in each of his first two big league seasons.

News of the arbitration request came as Lincecum appeared in a Washington state court on marijuana charges. The (Vancouver, Wash.) Columbian said the pitcher Tuesday resolved charges of the use of drug paraphernalia and possessing marijuana after charges were reduced to a civil infraction by a Clark County, Wash., judge.

The newspaper said the infraction requires Lincecum to pay a $513 fine.
"I'll try not to let this happen again, move forward and continue with my life," Lincecum told the court.

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