Since signing a $112.5 million contract in 2012, Matt Cain’s career has taken a nosedive.
Injuries have played a significant role in his undoing, with Cain missing half of the last three seasons with a myriad of ailments, leading to inconsistency on the rare occasions he’s healthy enough to toe the rubber. It was the same story in 2016, where Cain struggled mightily as a starter in between three separate trips to the disabled list.
The Giants are still on the hook for Cain through 2017, (they owe him $21 million) but it would seem reasonable to assume that after pitching poorly for the fourth consecutive season, his days as a member of the Giants rotation are behind him.
Surprisingly, general manager Bobby Evans was singing a different tune Thursday, telling members of the media during the club’s end of season press conference that Cain will be given an opportunity to earn the job as the Giants fifth starter next season.
“Matt wants to be a starting pitcher,” Evans said. “He’ll come into spring training expecting to start and he’ll be given every opportunity, and he deserves that.”
Ty Blach will be Cain’s primary competition, and the odds on favorite to win the final spot, putting up a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings after being called up from the minors, including an incredible eight-inning shutout in a must win game against LA on October 1. Blach was the best starter for the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate Sacramento Rivercats this season, and also was unhittable in two scoreless innings of relief in Game 3 of the NLDS.
Evans went on to say that he believes the Giants have six viable starters, and it’s possible that if both impress during spring training, San Francisco could start the season with a six-man rotation. Prospect Tyler Beede, 23, will also be in the mix to win a starting job, but without any big league experience, is considered a long shot.
“We’ll let it play out,” Evans concluded.