The San Francisco Giants and pitcher Matt Cain have been working diligently to get a new contract signed before the start of the 2012 regular season, and according to the San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea, sources have told him that Cain will indeed ink a new deal before the Friday start of the season.

Per John Shea on Twitter:

BREAKING NEWS: Two people familiar w/ talks told me Cain will sign "in the neighborhood of" 5 years and $110 mil before opener. #sfgiants

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) April 2, 2012

Willingness on both sides to get Cain extension done before season prompts the confidence, urgency to wrap it up by Friday.

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) April 2, 2012

Cain had been talking like he was willing to wait to test out the markets after the season, a la Albert Pujols and the Cardinals last season, but also has noted his love for the Giants and the Bay Area. We will have more on this soon, hopefully with a official update on Cain remaining with the Black and Orange.

For more on the Giants, check out McCovey Chronicles.