Matt Cain
The usual suspect for the Giants fifth starter job, Matt Cain, will look to recapture the spot again in 2017. As has been the case for a few years, he will do it after another poor campaign. Cain has been battered for several seasons after starting off his career so well. He is now in the final year of his big contract. More than in previous years, his job security looks uncertain.
Injuries have plagued Cain for the last four seasons. He has missed starts regularly, and when healthy, has not performed well at all. Last year’s 5.64 ERA was only slightly better than the 5.79 ERA he had one year prior. In fact, since his decline began in 2013, Cain has posted only a 16-29 record with a 4.64 ERA. Considering he still owns a 3.57 ERA for his career, you can get a good idea of how phenomenal he was prior.
Cain’s best chance at winning a rotation spot—aside from Blach failing in spring training—might be his contract. The Giants probably don’t want a $21 million mop-up man in the bullpen. If he fails to earn a corner office in the Giants’ rotation, this would likely be Cain’s role.