Cain 'torn' over Giants future

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Amid a report that contract negotiations have stalled between the Giants and Matt Cain, the right-hander acknowledged that he is ?really torn? about whether to commit long-term or test the market as a free agent after the season.

Asked whether he was optimistic or pessimistic that an extension could be reached before the April 6 season opener, Cain pondered the question for a time.

?I guess ? I don?t know,? Cain told CSNBayArea.com. ?I?m hesitant to answer that question because I?m thinking about the times I?ve had playing with these guys, growing up in this organization. I?m definitely going to enjoy this season to the fullest with whatever happens. But you also think about going to free agency, and you might not have that chance again. So you really are torn between the two sides. It?d be hard to say it?s one way or the other.?

For now, the choice is not difficult. Although Cain declined to discuss specific terms, he made it clear the Giants haven?t offered a contract in line with his perceived market value. Cain made one more thing clear: his agents have a firm idea of what that value may be.

?We feel like we do,? he said. ?Yes, we do.?

Industry sources estimated Cain would fetch more than $100 million on the open market, perhaps exceeding a six-year, $120 million deal.

Fox Sports reported Wednesday night that the chances of the Giants re-signing Cain this spring were ?rapidly diminishing.? A source described that characterization as overly dramatic, but confirmed the two sides remain far apart in talks. Although no further talks were scheduled, both sides remain open to continuing the dialogue ? which by all accounts, has not been contentious.

[RELATED: Contract talks stall between Cain, Giants]

Giants GM Brian Sabean has said the organization has the financial wherewithal to sign Cain to an extension and also commit long term to Tim Lincecum, who will be a free agent after his two-year, $40.5 million contract expires following the 2013 season.

But with the Giants? rotation becoming ultra-expensive, the team would assume a major risk by signing Cain long term with a year remaining on his deal. They could mitigate some of that risk by waiting until the exclusive negotiating period in October to extend him.

Waiting runs its own risks, though.

Baseball sources expect the Giants? archrival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, to be major free-agent spenders next winter once a new ownership group drops more than $1 billion to purchase the franchise. There would be nothing more painful to Giants fans than seeing Cain, one of their most loyal favorites, in Dodger blue. Such a signing could tilt the balance of power in the NL West, too.

[REWIND: EXTRAS -- Cain mum on contract]

Cain said the negotiations, even this deep into the spring, haven?t weighed on his mind. His teammates agreed.

?I think he has a really great ability to let things go,? left-hander Barry Zito said. ?He?s always been able to do that. He?s a very mature pitcher and a mature guy."

Although many observers expected a swift resolution to Cain's contract situation, Zito said he wasn't surprised that it hasn't turned out that way.

?It?s more complicated than, `The Giants want Cain and Cain wants to stay,'" Zito said. "This is a game and we try to keep it that way in most aspects. But the fact is, it?s a business. You?ve got to be as tedious about getting business handled as you are about stuff on the field. That?s just a fact.?

Cain would start the Giants? home opener April 13 if the club uses four starting pitchers in the first turn through the rotation. That?s a possibility because they have a day off on their season-opening road trip, which could allow Ryan Vogelsong more time to build arm strength after missing three weeks because of a lower back strain.

Source: http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/giants-talk/post/Cain-really-torn-over-his-future?blockID=670812&feedID=2539

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