Board the Cain Train (Matt, that is)

[rickh150]

All ABOARD!!! Yep, you too. Get on board with this move. Elite pitcher Matt Cain has been mentioned on this board more than about anybody. Remember the Hart for Cain, and the Hardy for Cain, and the Fielder for Cain talk. It's been around for two years plus, it seems. Well, it's time to get this guy in a Brewers uniform. Here's why?

1. Timing - The Giants, in their minds, right now have a surplus of pitching. They believe that they are a couple of bats away from being a contender this year. The Brewers need pitching at the front of the rotation more than they need Fielder at 1B. The Brewers, in their mind, have a surplus of bats coming in the minors, not withstanding a top 5 offense in MLB.

2. Who else? - The Brewers would love a top of the rotation guy, yet few teams are even willing to look into trading one. The Giants might be in a unique situation where they have enough pitching to warrant a trade a big arm for a big bat. Why? They have two Cy Young winners on staff and budding young pitchers at the bottom of the rotation. Cain might be the only #1/2 type pitcher available from contending teams right now. A trade would give them more flexibility to sign more bats and potentially keep Lincecum in a Giants uniform(Cain '12 contract= $15).

3. Contract- Cain's contract would be affordable and long enough to justify a big move. Cain will have about $25 million left for the Brewers to pay from 2010-2012.

My trade proposal- Matt Cain for Prince Fielder and Todd Coffey or Matt Cain for Corey Hart, Manny Parra, and Todd Coffey- I believer the Brewers can find an above average 1B this off-season via FA, and 1B or RF can be filled from within(Gomez, L. Cain, Gamel, Katin, even Lawrie). Brewers fans would love the idea of having Yo and Cain going 1-2 with Wolf and Parra in the back of the rotation. SF fans would love Fielder for this year and next plus in the middle of the lineup. Coffey gives the Giants another fairly dependable option in the pen for this year and next. If Hart is more their taste, add another hard throwing lefty might make sense. Parra could get tutored by Zito and Bumgarner.

[Invader3K]

I'd get on the train, but it probably derailed about two years ago.

 

Honestly I'm just sick of hearing about Matt Cain at this point.

[RockCoCougars]

As I said on the Fielder topic. Wait until the offseason, hope the Giants offense continues to struggle and miss the playoffs. Also pull for Bumgarner to have a Cal Eldred type rookie season. Sanchez going gangbusters would be nice too. If Prince and Boras continue to turn down reasonable extension offers offer the Giants Prince for Cain straight up. Remind them that: A:) They have no offense B:) With the emergence of Bumgarner, they now have a solid 1-2 starting punch C:) They will need big bucks to keep Lincecum in the near future D:) Cain will be a free agent after 2012 and E:) They will still be paying Zito a gazillion dollars.

 

If everything falls into place this might work. Cain is exactly what the Brewers need, a durable workhorse, with the stuff to match. Plus, he's right handed. This is precisely why I don't want the Brewers to give in and let the Giants have Hart for a package built around Sanchez.

[derflotr]

Parra tutored by Bumgarner?

If the Brewers are about to take on salary for an elite starter it may as well be Cliff Lee. Don't think Cain is a fit anymore. Like someone said a couple posts above, that train left the station a couple years ago. Despite all the rumblings lately I don't think the Brewers and Giants match up as well as people think - unless San Fran doesn't hang up at the mention of Madison Bumgarner.

[paul253]

I'd be ok with getting Cain, but I'd like him extended through at least 2014. I am not big on giving up on Parra though. Trading him now would be the epidomy of selling low. Parra needs to enter the season as a #4 or #5 starter. I think his control will eventually get there, and once it does he'll be a much better pitcher. But again, I wouldn't mind trading for Cain, although I'd prefer someone younger and cheaper.