On Monday, the San Francisco Giants rewarded Cain for his consistency on the mound by making him the highest-paid right-handed pitcher in MLB history.
Cain, who will make $15 million in the final year of his current deal, reached an agreement with the Giants on Monday for a five-year extension worth up to $127.5 million ($112.5 million guaranteed). The deal also includes a $5 million signing bonus and a vesting option worth up to $21 million for the 2018 season.
The hefty extension also includes a full no-trade clause.
The two-time All Star has averaged a 3.35 ERA over his seven seasons in the league, and he played a major role in the Giants' 2010 World Series title. Cain threw 21 1/3 innings in three starts for the Giants during the 2012 postseason, going 2-0 and not allowing a single earned run in the playoffs.
Cain has also displayed great durability and proven to be extremely reliable throughout his career. He has started at least 31 games and pitched more than 190 innings for the Giants during each of his six years as a consistent member of the rotation. But, as with any great starting pitcher, there remains a knock on the right-hander's otherwise sterling resume.
The major hitch with Cain during his time in the Bay area has always been his win-loss record. Even while posting sub-3.00 ERAs in both 2009 and 2011, Cain still has never reached the 15-win plateau in a single season. He has certainly come close, winning 13 twice (2006, 2010) and even notching 14 wins in 2009, but he still can't seem to achieve the high level expected of elite pitchers in the majors.
In 2011, Cain posted potentially the best season of his career. Cain went 12-11, posting career bests with a 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP and allowing a career- and league-best (for starting pitchers) nine home runs.
Cain is certainly expected to live up the high price of his new contract, as the team more than broke the bank for potentially its second-best pitcher. The previous record for a right-hander was Kevin Brown's $105 million deal with Dodgers in 1998.
The Giants are expected to compete for another World Series championship in 2012 after missing the playoffs in 2011. The team has locked up both of its front-end starters, giving Cain and two-time Cy young award winner Tim Linecum (two years, $40.5 million) new contracts.
