TIM LINCECUM: This blog is a firm believer in the “year after” syndrome for pitchers. But Lincecum appears to be an exception to all rules. This week, he pitched six innings, that’s SIX, just so he could reach his appointed pitch count. Sound mechanics taught by his father seem legit, so much so that it must be reminded that he was the THIRD pitcher chosen in the 2006 draft. Those taken ahead of him are Greg Reynolds, who starts the season at Triple-A for Colorado, and Brandon Morrow, who is making his second role switch for Seattle while Lincecum shines as a Cy Young Award winner. It’s been a long time since the Giants could boast of such a draft success.

MANNY RAMIREZ: He probably can't repost similat numbers because National League teams will pitch to him with extreme caution. National League West ballparks, save Colorado, favor good pitching. But his impact will be greater than any player in his division. His two-year deal provides motivation to stay fit and sharp in the pursuit of one more contract, and his stated goal of 3,000 hits.

CLIFF LEE: His outstanding 2008 wasn’t a fluke as much as a player with promise rebounding from a dose of humility. In 2005, Lee placed fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting, posting a 1.2 WHIP. Like Ramirez, he can’t repeat 22-3, 2.54 ERA, but his stuff is pure, he has just turned 30, and should be one of the AL’s best starters.

BRANDON WEBB: If the sink is there, Webb is strong. Three straight years of a WHIP between 1.1 and 1.2 is consistency extraordinaire. Wins are reliant on many factors, one is that the ‘Backs hurt themselves defensively with the loss of Orlando Hudson at second base.

ALBERT PUJOLS: Coming off his second MVP, and his best overall season, there is no reason to expect a decline from Pujols. His eye has only improved, evidenced by a career best 1.114 OPS. His power is undiminished, and his age (28) is still unchallenged. Until any of those factors change, the NL’s top offensive player marches on.

50-50:

BRAD LIDGE. First thought is to ask how Lidge could possibly repeat perfection (41 for 41 in save chances).  Again, that is unlikely. But look at his stat line. His strikeout ratio stayed strong during his Houston struggles. The noticeable drop in 2008 was home runs allowed -- just two in 69 innings after allowing 19 in 2006-07 combined. If Lidge can contain the longball, he can still be a premier, if not perfect, reliever.

DUSTIN PEDROIA: His problem will be expectation. Because his team didn’t sign Mark Teixeira, which means they still haven’t replaced Manny Ramirez, more will be expected from Pedroia’s bat. How long can the overachiever overachieve? Would a .317 batting average, eight home runs and 50 runs batted in season -- numbers that won him the 2007 Rookie of the Year Award -- be acceptable now that he is coming off an MVP Award?

JOSH HAMILTON: The concern here is repeating the offense while being asked to play center field. He is a corner outfielder forced to play 111 games in center field last season by the Rangers. If that repeats itself this season, the degree of difficulty raises for Hamilton to repeat his breakout offensive numbers.

DICEY:

JOHAN SANTANA: The “year after” syndrome bites here. Santana pitched valiantly and brilliantly down the stretch, then headed into surgery. The Mets’ bullpen is better, but Santana has gone over 230 innings in three of the last four years. Carrying the load for the Mets may take a toll.

FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ: He will learn about closing games in New York, the way Armando Benitez, and many others learned – and that is painfully. The careful care and feeding K-Rod received in Anaheim died the day he signed his Mets’ contract. Now he is cast as savior -- to exorcise the horrid bullpen collapse that cost the Mets last year. There is NO margin for error in New York, and K-Rod, a hero in Anaheim, has never experienced booing like he will hear upon his first blown save.

FIVE SWINGS:

1. ARE THEY PLAYING “BEAT THE ARBITRATION CLOCK? Or do the Rays earn credit for how they played Evan Longoria’s situation last year? David Price starts in Triple-A, and there was a time the Rays would be praised for allowing a talented arm the chance to fully prepare for a new role.

But cynicism and mistrust rule now, so the Rays’ move deserves some questioning. Count me in the camp of praise. Price has already earned a ton, and with any longevity in the bigs, can break the bank.

2. MESSAGE SENT…Miguel Tejada apologized for lying to Congress. He received probation. Barry Bonds has spent countless dollars in legal fees because he won’t admit or apologize. Is Roger Clemens paying attention?

3. MORE PROOF THE GAME IS CHANGING…great story in ESPN Magazine about evolving statistical methods used to evaluate defense. After the “slow pitch softball” era of the late 1990s and early this decade, each day brings belief that the game is returning to its sound foundation.

4. ON THAT POINT, an incredible story in the San Francisco Chronicle about one of the fallen era’s poster boys, Jack Cust. Cliff notes: Cust was raised to hit homers. His father admitted telling young Jack to forget the field, that hitting would earn him a job. It took many years and many failures, but Cust has landed in Oakland, although his future may demand some ability to survive in the outfield.

Jack Hannahan told the San Francisco Chronicle this week that he looked at Cust’s glove after some dropped fly balls. Hannahan was stunned at how poorly the glove was broken in. In the big leagues, no less. Hannahan gave Cust another glove, properly cared for, and Cust’s play improved. The infamous quote from Hannahan, “Jack doesn’t know much about gloves.”

5. GREAT STAT ON CURT SCHILLING. In the upcoming Hall of Fame debate, remember this about Schilling. From 1992-2005, he had more complete games than any right-hander (83). Anyone who abhors pitch counts as I do, must honor that feat.

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