Tim Lincecum is ready to put on a show when the Giants open the season Tuesday. But are the Giants ready to show him the money?

Giants president Larry Baer said the club would remain open to negotiating a multiyear extension with Lincecum during the season. The reigning NL Cy Young award winner signed a one-year, $650,000 contract last month.

General Manager Brian Sabean said his staff has researched the potential parameters of a deal that would take Lincecum through his arbitration years; an industry source speculated that the structure would exceed the three-year, $20.5 million deal that World Series MVP Cole Hamels signed with the Phillies in January.

For now, Sabean called the Lincecum talks a "back-burner issue."

"We're open to it, but in this climate, with what's going on with the economics in the country and until we see how it affects baseball, I don't know how wise that would be," Sabean said.

Lincecum almost certainly will be eligible for arbitration after this season and command a hefty raise; he would have four arbitration years before being eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.

Clubs often seek cost certainty by locking up their young stars through their arbitration years. But going year-to-year with Lincecum might not be a bad thing, Sabean said.

"He earns his way," Sabean said. "As capable as Timmy has been or will be, to me, there's no fault in that system for a premium player. He's going to get a raise one way or the other. Going year to year may not be a bad option at this point."

Some players prefer to halt negotiations once the season begins, citing it as a distraction. But Lincecum said he wouldn't place restrictions on his agent, Rick Thurman.

"I don't think it's a distraction because my agent is handling it," said Lincecum, who will oppose Milwaukee's Jeff Suppan on Tuesday. "I'll just be the guy who finds out."

If Lincecum repeats his Cy Young season, he would be in an unprecedented position as a first-year arbitration player — and could command a $10 million salary.

—The Giants' rotation is the strength of the team, so here is perhaps their best news of the spring: the starting five will begin the year at full potency.

Jonathan Sanchez dispelled concerns about the burn on his left index finger, striking out six while throwing 4i;?2/3 innings in a 3-1 exhibition victory over the Dodgers on Sunday. Sanchez threw 86 pitches and wasn't efficient, but pronounced himself ready for his debut April 11. He'd better be on his game. Sanchez will draw San Diego ace Jake Peavy.

"We've got a pretty good lineup. I think we can go get him," said Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Barry Zito was in Scottsdale, Ariz., and tossed 87 pitches over six innings in a minor league intrasquad game. Zito allowed three runs on seven hits, struck out three and didn't walk a batter.

—The Giants (21-19) posted their first winning record in the exhibition season since 2005.