Brian Sabean has gone to market. The Giants G.M. is seeking a bat with Nick Johnson atop his list, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
In a piece posted last night, Baggarly says Sabean is dangling Matt Cain to get a feel for his value on the open-market. "Because Cain is young, controllable and relatively cheap for two more seasons, it would require productive offensive players with similar service-time attributes to strike a deal," says Baggarly.
Cain will make only $2.65MM this year and $4.25MM next, with a $6.25MM club option for 2011. Coming off a complete game victory yesterday, Cain is 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA despite an increased walk rate and decreased strikeout rate in 2009.
