San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop for speeding in his home state.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Steve Schatzel said yesterday that the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former University of Washington star was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 5 in the town of Hazel Dell, about 4 miles north of the Oregon border, on Oct. 30.

An officer approached Lincecum's 2006 Mercedes and smelled marijuana as the pitcher rolled down his window. Schatzel said Lincecum immediately complied with a request to hand over the drug and a marijuana pipe from the car's center console.

Lincecum was in possession of 3.3 grams of marijuana. Schatzel said police consider that a small amount for personal use.

Lincecum could face potential fines totaling $622 for the misdemeanor counts plus the citation for driving 74 mph in a 60-mph zone.

The 25-year-old All-Star starter has entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Dec. 22.

Noteworthy

 

* The Los Angeles Angels re-signed outfielder Bobby Abreu to a 2-year contract worth $19 million. Abreu joined the team shortly before spring training last winter and enjoyed a standout year, batting .293 with 15 home runs, 103 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

* The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins in exchange for lefthanders Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez.

Hermida hit .259 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI in 129 games this season.

* Pitcher Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves are nearing agreement on a 3-year contract. The 34-year-old righthander was 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in seven starts this season after his return from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

* The Los Angeles Dodgers declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency.

The righthander gets a $2.5 million buyout because the team declined; he would have earned a $1 million buyout if he had declined.

Among the 79 players filing for free agency were pitchers John Lackey (Angels) and John Smoltz (Cardinals), reliever Billy Wagner (Red Sox), outfielders Matt Holliday (Cardinals) and Jason Bey (Red Sox), first baseman Carlos Delgado (Mets) and infielder Chad Tracy (Diamondbacks).

Approximately 100 more players are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 19 deadline.

* Mark Kotsay agreed to a $1.5 million contract to remain with the Chicago White Sox.

The 33-year-old infielder and outfielder, who had been eligible for free agency, hit .278 with four homers and 23 RBI in 67 games combined with Boston and the White Sox last season.

* Former Colorado manager Clint Hurdle has been hired as the new hitting coach for the Texas Rangers.

Hurdle was the Rockies manager for seven-plus seasons before being fired in May.