Fielder, Lincecum reach new deals

Slugger Prince Fielder and standout pitcher Tim Lincecum, both 27-year-old Major League Baseball superstars, have agreed to rich new contracts, according to reports on Tuesday. Fielder has agreed to a nine-year deal worth $214 million with the Detroit Tigers, last year's American League Central division champions, according to MLB Network, ESPN and CBS Sports. Lincecum, a right-hander with two Cy Young Awards as top pitcher, reached a verbal agreement on a two-year deal worth $40.5 million to remain with the San Francisco Giants, whom he helped lead to a World Series crown in 2010, according to a report from unnamed sources on the team's website. Fielder joins Miguel Cabrera, who led Major League Baseball with a .344 batting average and .448 on-base percentage last season, to power a Tiger team that lost slugger Victor Martinez last week to torn left knee ligaments. Fielder, a first baseman, would return a threat to the batting lineup if Martinez is lost for the entire 2012 season as is feared while Cabrera likely would move into the designated hitter spot vacated by Martinez. Last season, Fielder hit 38 home runs and batted in 120 runs for the Milwaukee Brewers. He has smashed 230 homers in more than six major league seasons, all in Milwaukee. Lincecum reportedly sought $21.5 million a year, which would have been a record sum for someone with fewer than six major league seasons, while the Giants countered with $17 million. The deal will allow Lincecum, a four-time National League All-Star, to become a free agent after the 2013 season.