One of the game’s premier hitters and pitchers inked contract extensions yesterday and both were record breaking. We’ve already looked at Joey Votto’s new deal with the Cincinnati Reds, now it’s Matt Cain’s turn. The 27-year-old signed a five-year/$112.5 million extension with the San Francisco Giants. Cain’s extension sets a new record for right-handed pitchers.
Cain’s new deal includes a sixth year club/vesting player option. According to John Shea of the San. Francisco Chronicle, Cain’s option year in 2018 will not vest if he finishes the season on the disabled list due to an elbow or shoulder ailment
This extension has been in the works for some time, though some didn’t think an agreement would be reached before the start of the Giants regular season. With the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s been speculated that the Giants increased their efforts to lock up their young right-hander. LA is expected to make a splash next winter, and Cain figured to be one of the Dodgers top targets.
However, Cain isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. The former first round pick has developed into one of the game’s best starters, owning a career ERA and WHIP of 3.35 and 1.196 with 7.4 SO/9 and 3.2 BB/9.
Cain has tallied at least 200 innings pitched and 32 starts per season since 2007. Last year for the Giants, Cain posted an impressive ERA of 2.88 to go with his career-low WHIP of 1.083.
Now that Cain’s contract is settled, the Giants can look ahead to negotiations involving ace Tim Lincecum. The Freak isn’t set to hit the open market until after the 2013 season, and both sides have expressed interest in reaching an agreement. Cain’s extension doesn’t figure to hurt San Francisco’s cause of signing Lincecum, as the club has said that they have the budget to keep both pitchers long-term.
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