The Giants and Matt Cain appear to have positive momentum in contract extension talks, based on this passage from Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com:
From what I’ve been told, the two sides have reached greater common ground in recent weeks. Cain wants to stay and the Giants have the wherewithal to keep him. Those tend to be the most important factors. It’ll be a surprise to many, both in the organization and out, if Cain’s deal doesn’t get done before the season starts.
The Giants open the season in Arizona one month from today. Cain, a CAA Sports client, has signed extensions with the Giants twice before. The second contract bought out one free agent year, giving Cain a $15MM salary in 2012 before he's eligible for free agency. As a 27-year-old in his prime, Cain should become the seventh pitcher in baseball history to sign for more than $100MM. There's "no shot" he signs for less, a person familiar with the situation told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Zachary Dalton
Is the guy worth 100 Mil? I mean this contract would have to be at least 7-8 years for it to reach 100 mil if i was a GM.
Dont get me wrong I like his stuff and what he can bring but over his last 3 years (his best stats wise) hes 13-10 with a 2.99 ERA. I understand the no run support in SF but hes averaging 18 HR per and under 180 strikeouts. Not the kind of guy i want to throw 100 Mil at unless it’s a 7-8 year deal. We know hes not injury prone and will have a dominant next 4 years but after that your looking at Zito 2.0 . With age comes loss os stuff especially when they aren’t particularly hard throwers.
FrnchDp
It’s more likely to be a 4-5 yr deal, with 9 digits being the big issue. I’m guessing it will be 5/100+ (but not a big +). I would prefer a 4+1 myself – turns out they don’t care what I think.. 🙂
Daniel Stern
21 innings without a run in the post-season — he pitches stress free & to light contact, can strike a guy out when he needs to. He conserves his arm which makes him an amazing pitcher
melonis_rex
Relative to the rest of the SP market, sure he should get 100MM. He’s better than guys like Burnett, Lackey, Wilson, etc. and has zero injury history. His perception in the league though and gaudy stats like run support will probably keep him under 100MM though.
Also: he is NOT Zito 2.0. Zito was not even a league average pitcher and a complete Oakland mirage when he signed with SF.
edit: apparently, logging into disqus autoposts what you were typing.
Peter Krug
They are probably at the 6-year $110 mill range. If it is a 7th year, then we are talking $130 mill. If you give him a $1 mill raise per season, then 6 years is $111 million and that is what I would offer. If they dont settle with Cain, the Dodgers will simply throw more money at him this off-season and try to lure Lincecum with him the year after, the Giants cannot let either one get away and go to the Dodgers.
Pay them whatever it takes….
monkeydung
Cain will look great as the Dodgers # 3 starter next season. Kershaw / Hamels / Cain / Billingsley / Lilly
GiantsRock
Cain and Hamels huh? Why not add in Felix as well. Comedy from SoCal is always refreshing.
monkeydung
Crazy right. That would kind of be like having Lee / Halladay / Hamels or Petite / Mussina / Clemens which would both could never happen.
GiantsRock
Crazy, because Cain is about to be locked up this spring by the Giants. Hamels, you have a shot, but he is going to be the top free agent pitcher and that will certainly involve a 6 year deal mininum, 20 mill plus a year.
dylanp5030
Hamels will be locked up by June.
monkeydung
Crazy right. That would kind of be like having Lee / Halladay / Hamels or Petite / Mussina / Clemens which would both could never happen.
BLB25
keep dreaming
monkeydung
Why wouldn’t I?
bayareabeast
you have to wake up eventually
Amish_willy
What about the 22m +/- Colleti gave Harang/Capuano??? Expensive, mediocre relievers.
Amish_willy
What about the 22m +/- Colleti gave Harang/Capuano??? Expensive, mediocre relievers.
Peter Krug
This is why the Giants will pay Cain! Cain is not going to settle for 4-5 year deal. We know Timmy was asking for an 8-year deal this off-season, buying out his last two arb years and then 6 free agent years. I think 6 years is Cain’s floor…
madmaxnyr
Yeah, and I heard Sandy Koufax has found a time machine and will come back next season like he was when he was a 28 year old.
madmaxnyr
Yeah, and I heard Sandy Koufax has found a time machine and will come back next season like he was when he was a 28 year old.
onlysfrepub
I hear that the Dodgers have offered Bryan Stow a long term deal. $1M per year for the rest of his life.
onlysfrepub
I hear that the Dodgers have offered Bryan Stow a long term deal. $1M per year for the rest of his life.
vtadave
Matt,
Don’t take the offer. I’ll hook you up with $160 million.
Sincerely,
Magic Johnson
melonis_rex
Dear Magic,
Give that money to Lincecum instead next year.
Now please oust McCourt and start beating the Giants ASAP.
Signed,
Logic
GiantsRock
Dear Melonis,
Timmy is locked up for two years still. Discussions for his services can start after the 2013 season is done, if he is not tied up next spring training.
bayareabeast
does the thought of cain on the dodgers make anyone else want to go burn down a church? lol kidding of course but really, the thought makes me sick.