NEW YORK (AP) — 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 offered Jeter.