Cain to sign four year deal

[love_that_reefer]

The Giants are expected to announce later Wednesday that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Matt Cain on a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year. An official announcement remained on hold while Cain underwent a physical examination.

The benefits to this deal are mutual. Cain, who pitched his first full Major League season in 2006, gains contractual security shared by few players with his relative lack of experience. The Giants gain cost certainty for the foreseeable future by avoiding arbitration with a player who has the potential to develop into one of baseball's top performers.

The contract enables the Giants to avoid salary arbitration with Cain, who would have become eligible for the process after the 2008 season. The Giants employed this strategy last year with Noah Lowry by giving the left-hander a four-year, $9.25 million extension with a $6.25 million option for 2010.

Cain, 22, finished 13-12 with a 4.15 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 190 2/3 innings last season. He's projected to be San Francisco's No. 2 starter behind Barry Zito.

Probably the best signing so far. With Zito locked for a while and Lincecum coming up, the Giants are going to be looking pretty probably as soon as 2008.

[HollywoodLeo]

Damn it

[jrichordieflyin]

They're rotation is looking nice for the future. If Lowry has another down year, what do you do with him considering Lincecum and Sanchez are waiting for their chance. Lowry better step it up this year.

[Fishercat]

Cain wasn't a threat to leave, the Giants had his rights the whole time (I believe the whole time, most of it at least) due to the arbitration rules. So Leo, you were going to have to deal with him anyway

[GiantsFanatic]

Nice, this is great news! Him and Zito are our future, glad we locked him up for a good portion.

[love_that_reefer]

No Cain was no threat to leave but like the article says, we will be saving money in the long run.

As for Lowry, he was hurt most of last year along with Morris so I expect both to have better years.