Though Madison Bumgarner did not hit the open market with as much fanfare as once seemed likely, he’s still a prominent part of the landscape for starting pitching. And it appears that strong early interest is coming together for the veteran lefty.
The Phillies have “checked in” on Bumgarner, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription link), who notes the potential interplay between the Phils and their division rivals from Atlanta. The Braves are known to be interested in the hurler, who grew up not far from Atlanta in Hickory, NC.
Those aren’t the only eastern seaboard teams considering Bumgarner. The Yankees also intend to reach out to MadBum’s reps, New York GM Brian Cashman tells John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Of course, Cashman has already made clear he’s interested in other, even bigger free agent fish. And he emphasized that point to Shea, stating that the Yanks will look at the full field.
That’s an important point to bear in mind more generally as we gauge early indications of market interest. With a market as full of good options as it is full of needy teams, we’re hearing of a lot of broad explorations on both sides of the balance. Teams are trying to get a sense of price tags. And there’s a balance for players and their agents as well. Most any pitcher would prefer to draw a nice run of early bidding to waiting around and hoping that demand remains strong. It’s better to be Nathan Eovaldi or Tyler Chatwood than Dallas Keuchel, generally speaking, as recent free agent experiences are concerned.
Bumgarner isn’t likely to be a market darling in the nature of Eovaldi or Chatwood. But neither is there reason to think he’ll end up facing the Keuchel conundrum. Bumgarner isn’t the monster he once was on the mound, and he now carries a notable injury history, but he just turned 30 years of age and was still capable of spinning 207 2/3 innings of 3.90 ball in 2019.
poor madbum he is a big baby cries when someone homer’s against him, but he was a giant
White Sox should be all over Bumgarner. He can DH on the days he doesn’t pitch. Sox had a pitcher Gary Peters who they used to bat sixth at times and he would PH a lot too.
Bumgarner is a career .177/.228/.303 hitter. Good for a pitcher but probably not good enough to DH.
The DH takes real hitters. That’s the whole point.
In the OP’s defense, those numbers may be better than Yonder Alonso’s with the Sox last year…
That’s his career line hitting once every 5 days. I could almost guarantee you that a ST to work on it, and it’s quite serviceable.
I’m not advocating, but for a caller dweller, it would be an interesting experiment.
He could at least take Palka’s AB’s couldn’t do worse than Palka.
Mad bum’s numbers are right up there with Austin Hedges
I agree. I think he could be a decent hitter if he got more ABs. BUT he also swings for the fence almost every swing so if he took more of a hitters approach his numbers might be better.
Pretty sure they can find a better DH than Bumgarner.
Some problem as Wheeler. That ERA isnt good. Any NL player comin over to the AL gets a 1/2 run added. 4.4 era. Pass.
This year NL era was .22 lower then Al. Last year it was ..25. So I guess I’m wondering where you get your info.When you consider Wheeler is almost surely looking at a team much better defensively then the Metsi’s doubtful Wheelers era would even be affected by a trade to the AL
Yeah. Gerritt Cole was just telling me about that.
Would love WSox to add a rejuvenated MadBum as top target without fretting the QO, but Keuchel seems their kind of move at less $ and without QO.
cws2019. Going after Keuchel instead of MadBum would be a terrible mistake. What MadBum brings to the organization is leadership and a huge gate advantage. That will pay itself for the difference in salary. The White Sox need to stop pursuing lesser quality free agents and try to win now.
kroeg49- good post. Go out and get the best player you can. Don’t worry about the QO or try to find a “better value”.
Preaching to the choir. I don’t dislike Keuchel on a 3/45 or less deal, but would mind if he is the main offseason starter they add.
My apprehension about Keuchel is his consistent inconsistency. One day he can be Whitey Ford and the next start he can be Max Patkin. That scares me.
Both Sox had Peters. Boston had him at the end of his career along with Sonny Siebert who on my first visit to Fenway homered twice and missed a third by a few feet. Bring back those non DH memories. The game only lasted a little over two hours as Boston beat the Orioles 4-1.
I remember Sox trading him to Boston. Broke my heart For Duane Josephson? Or Sid O’Brien. Have to look it up. Peters Horlen John were the boys.. grew up with them.
It’s funny that Wilbur Wood didn’t get a mention in your memory of Wsox pitchers from that time. I liked Horlen (not sure why cause I’m a Yankee fan, lol).
Wilbur Wood was special but, he wasn’t part of the (most underrated) 1965-1970 Joe Horlen-Gary Peters-Tommy John rotation. Wood was a RP until 1971. From 1972 – 75, Wood anchored Chuck Tanner’s 3-man rotations: Wood – Stan Bahnsen – (Tom Bradley, Steve Stone, Jim Kaat-Claude Osteen).
Josephson also played fir the Red Sox around the same time so perhaps they arrived together.
Didn’t Wood start both games of a doubleheader? Imagine that today. He wasn’t used as an opener either.
If my memory is correct dewey.. Both of those starts were CG losses for Wood as well. Wood had over 40 starts a cpl years in a row. Another unheard of feat.
Not looking these numbers up, but please check u like. The DH pair of starts was close to end of season as remember in… 72?? 73? Years become sort of a blur after so long.
MadBum would be an outstanding sign for a young White Sox pitching staff. The experiences he would share with them are priceless. Signing him, Grandal and a strong DH could put the White Sox in immediate playoff contention.
Having a pitcher DH, where can we get more ideas like this
There’s something wrong with you. A DH? That’s absurd
I assume your a Dodger fan with blue in your name. Madbumm does have 3 things Dodger players, fans and the organization doesn’t. 3 WS rings. Nuff Said!!
He’s five years older (soon to be six) than when he contributed to one of those rings.
You’ll have to speak louder, Bumgarner accidentally got a World Series ring stuck in each of his ears and it’s just too hard to pick them out of there with the third one on his finger
Sounds like the Giants will need a starter or starters. How about Price and/or Eovaldi with JBJ for Belt (with money and/or prospects to even out the trade).
I can envision a scenario where that trade becomes a reality. However I believe SD is more logical trade partner, sending Hosmer in a bad contract swap for Price or Eovaldi.
Why would Boston, who is trying to shed salary, give up 3 years of a bad pitcher contract for 6 years of an equally bad Hosmer contract? Doesn’t make sense at all, especially considering that Price and Eovaldi have more upside than Hosmer. Much more likely to see Will Myers in a deal than Hosmer.
One reason is to look at the Dodgers-Atlanta trade from last year or the year before. If the Sox can rid themselves of enough salary in 2020 to get under the threshold, extra years can be absorbed and dealt with later. Hosmer is a good player at a position in need, just overpriced. If San Diego would take on Price and JBJ, it would be a significant savings. Not saying to do that trade because you might find better dealings but it’s worth exploring.
Why? Because the Padres would also include one of their 9 million prospects in the deal. Hence the reason I thought SD would be the better trade partner. Plus Boston needs a 1B and SD needs a SP.
Yeah that defeats the purpose of dumping salary for Boston. Sox can sign Moreland for a fraction with the same or better output. Not to mention Dalbec and Chavis covering 1B
@GothamNeedsMe
You can save money with Moreland over Hosmer but Moreland is unlikely to be as good as Hosmer. Ever again.
Just saying.
It doesn’t defeat the purpose because SD would have to take on a bad contract in return, which would help Boston shed salary and stay under the luxury tax threshold.
If they just sign Moreland their payroll increases, but if they send Price to SD for Myers their payroll overall decreases and their luxury cap number goes down as well because of the way Myers deal is structured.
Hosmer’s not good though, so you’re wrong. He was a negative WAR player last year
You fans keep saying Hosmer is a bad contract. I’ve never heard The Padres say that. They signed him to be a clubhouse leader and anchor 1B as well a player to build around. He’s put up decent numbers. As a Angel fan I’d take him. Quit with this bad contract crap.
It becomes a bad contract when he doesn’t fill a need. No need to spend $$ on his contract when there’s no void in the infield worth the salary.
Of course the Padres aren’t gonna say they screwed up. It’s a bad contract because he was never worth that much and certainly hasn’t lived up to it.
That’s your opinion. He’s better than what they had at 1B. Like my previous post, it goes beyond that. Someone to build around. Someone to attract other FA’s eg Machado. So his contract serves a dual purpose.
Outside of Mike Trout and a handful players is any player worth “it”? They’re a lot of intangibles involved what a team pays a player. Does he make the team more attractive to othe FA’s . Is he drawing card to fans? Is he marketable? Is he a good clubhouse player You as a fan only look at his stats.
The problem with that is he’s not actually any better than what they had…
When Wil Myers played 1B in 2016 and 2017 he had a 3.5 bWAR season and then a 2.0bWAR season. Hosmer had a 1.4bWAR season in 2018 and then a -.3bWAR season in 2019.
It’s possible at this point he’s just blocking Josh Naylor or another player making league minimum who could outperform him.
I don’t think Belt would thrive in Boston but he’s got no trade in his contract or any easier Hr Ballpark
Don’t underestimate the power of a trade. Belt has been pretty arrogant as a player in SF. It took the coaching staff years and a benching to get him to try changing his swing. I honestly think Belt might get a bit of a wake up call if he were traded to Boston and I think the park would help him a lot. But then again, I though Sandoval would get better numbers in BOS so there’s probably a good chance I’m totally wrong.
They say Fenway is tailor made for left handed batters. Should help Belt. Sandoval wouldn’t have flopped half as bad if he just tried (both on the field and off with his diet).
So let me get this straight you trade 3 years of 96 mill dollars away with a pitcher who had a 4.28era. You trade another pitcher with 3 years 51 mill left who had a 5.99 era and you trade an of who hit 236 making 11 mill for a year and you take back a 1b making 16 mill over next 2 years..That means the Giants will be taking on 126 mill to get back a mediocre pitcher a bad pitcher and a back up outfielder, That sounds like a win for the Giants. LOL
I said one ORmaybe both pitchers with JBJ. Throw in prospects, maybe some bullpen guys, but mainly kicking in money to even out the trade.
Whoever you include they are a load of junk with high salaries attached if it’s just with Price and JBJ the Red Sox would be lessening there payroll by 27 mill next year and getting Belt who is the only person in the discussion who might be contributing something useful. I fail to see what would make the Giants consider this type of deal adding large payroll to a mediocre team and making it older while not doing anything to help it. How much money could the Bosox include that it would come anywhere near covering Price’s 96 mill over the next 3 years and who could they offer to make the Giants take those players, As to adding bullpen guys.Last I checked the Sox bullpen is weak so who of value would they give up and why
I meant more SF bullpen in a salary dump move to even out the money.
The Sox have no prospects. Do a google search:
How Trader Dave empties the Red Sox farm system.
Good luck. Nobody wants his dead weight contracts. If you think that the PRICE contract is going to hamper the team for the next four years, the $ALE contract could make it look sweet.
He IS a Giant. And he is uber competitive, yes. At least he doesn’t lick his bat or flip it 10’. But he can also use that bat. He is a valuable asset any team should be proud to have and one of my very favorites ever. I love the fire on his mountain!!
That was a really weird way to say that.
I second that.
The more that you give the more it will take to that thin line beyond which you really can’t fake. Fire! Fire on the mountain! Nice to see, I didn’t think there were any other deadheads on this site.
Saw the Dead more than 70 times in my more frivolous days but, all due respect, I do believe, in Bumgarner’s case, the reference is to the Marshall Tucker Band’s song of the same name, which the big lefty used as his walk-in music.
There are always deadheads everywhere
I’m guessing you’re 60-65.
Swing and a miss. 34.
Leave the dude alone. Wasn’t aware either any other fans of Jerry & crew on the board. Saw them 2x myself back in the day, once with Pigpen, original keyboardist. Fire on the Mountain was one of the greatest tunes they would do at concerts.. it would always rock the place(s).
One thing about dead concerts.. inhaling so called fumes from 2 hours did funny things to a person.. Sign of those times gone by..
That’s pretty sweet. I was 10 when Jerry died and didn’t really know who they were yet. Seen Bob Weir and Phil Lesh though, fun shows both. And i thought those lines from the song could even kind of relate to pitching, the thin line as the rubber on the mound and a pitcher like MadBum facing down his 30s with many miles on his arm. The more you give the more it will take. Alright I’m done.
Bocephus is wrong again. Tries to make a boomer crack and whiffs.
Ya but he does scream at base runners as they start rounding the bases after they hit a home run off of him which they did kind of frequently even in Oracle Park which is one of the most pitcher friendly parks in baseball.
There is footage of Bumgarner doing the exact same thing after hitting a home run. He is a hypocritical crybaby.
I don’t see the Braves in this article, but here’s the deal. The more TradeRumors attaches Bum with the Braves, the less likely it will happen. Calling it now. It won’t happen.
Orioles will obviously get bumgarner /s
Did you read the article? They are mentioned… even has a link.
The Braves were mentioned in the article as having interest…..
“[H]e now carries a notable injury history”. What makes it notable is that those injuries aren’t relevant. The 207 innings with improved velocity he threw last year is evidence enough that. The only real concern regarding injury is the combined 1948 regular and post season innings on his arm.
Exactly. The injuries were his dirtbike accident (which was a dumb decision, yes) and breaking his hand on a comebacker. It’s like calling Brandon Belt “injury prone” when he keeps getting hit in the head by pitches.
Bumgarners injuries are a negative but Wheelers are “less mileage on his arm”. The same people who say MadBum is done are the same ones who threw dirt on Verlander and Hamels. Sometimes guys just need a change of scenery.
Hamels is average and old (injury prone). Mentioning him with Verlander kind of undermines your point.
Hamels came over from the Rangers and shaved 2 and a half runs off his ERA. He was also a 3 war pitcher this year despite missing significant time. My point is he was far from done just because he was struggling in Texas.
It would be advantageous of the Angels to consider a combo of Bumgarner, Wheeler, and Ordorizzi over signing Cole along. That trio along with Canning Ohtani and yes even Heaney would put them into contention. At least on paper. Eppler are you reading this!!!?
Pads talking Stras/Cole… are going to end up with Hamels + MadBum for cheper than 1 of those 2 and be better off
I don’t see MadBum as a Phillie, although I’m welcome to the idea of acquiring a durable lefty with post-season success on his resume. Would rather see the Phils sign Wheeler and Hamels and/or trade for Jon Gray, Kyle Feeland or Dylan Bundy.
Braves need to sign Bumgarner or Wheeler, not over 2-3 yrs. Don’t need them for more than that. Hammels for 1 yr. will be fine. If the Braves don’t get either of them, no big deal. Try and sign Teheran for 1 yr. Braves are in good shape for years to come. Don’t trade the top prospects off. Need bullpen help 1st. Need to find a closer. Maybe Ken Giles if it doesn’t cost that much. Try Vizzy or some injury guys trying to make a comeback. I think Wilson could be a good closer. Too many pitchers trying for 5 starting spots. Braves will be fine with the youth movement. Look how much better Soroka and Fried did in 1 year. Maybe Folty has his head on straight and I think Newk will be a starter again with something to prove.
Braves should sign Madbum or Wheeler but not longer then 2=3 years?Why would 2 pitchers looking at big contracts be willing to sign with Atlanta for 2 or 3 years. Wheeler is 29.Why would he let a contract he signs this year run out when he’s past his prime at 32.Possible Madbum would do it but he would want a boatload of money for signing for a smaller contract and I don’t see the money concious Braves doing that
“Most any pitcher would prefer to draw a nice run of early bidding to waiting around and hoping that demand remains strong”
Is it me or is the grammar in this sentence wrong? (especially @ “Most any pitcher”)
I think the word “to” popping up twice so close together is what makes it sound weird. Maybe substitute the word “drawing” instead of “to draw.”
I think I would rewrite the sentence:
“Most pitchers would rather draw a nice run of bidding than…”
Something about the “Most any pitcher” is tripping me up but i wasnt sure if it was just me or not
I see what you mean, but in this context “most” functions as a kind of contracted version of almost. “Almost any pitcher…” Etc
Ah, I can see that now. I was looking at it as its either any or most, but not both.
Latest news on the Braves….they are very dumb if they don’t sign Bumgarner soon.
Mad had his day and he still’s a decent pitcher, but I hope the Yanks don’t sign him. They don’t need another #2/#3. They have a passal of ’em. They need a true #1 (Severino has only shown flashes; he has not shown he can do it from the beginning to the end of a season; in 2018 he a great year except for a truly bleak July).
I HATE the thought of paying Cole or Stras the kind of money they are asking, but the Yanks, who MUST be in Win Now mode, HAVE to sign one of them.
Having said that, the language Cash has used the past couple of days give me absolutely no confidence that he is intent on signing one of the two “big fish.” I would put money saying he doesn’t. Like the trade deadline last year, he will say that they were too expensive and come up empty-handed (at least with regard to Cole and Stras).
If they don’t land Strasburg or Cole you can’t blame Cashman though. The guy to blame if that happens is Hal. I’m sure Cashman realizes how huge getting a true #1 would be for them and is intent on making it happen but if ownership won’t let him put the kind of offer it’s going to take to get one of them on the table what’s he supposed to do?
He’ll have to make an excuse, can’t exactly be honest and throw his boss under the bus.
“The guy to blame if that happens is Hal.”
You’re right.
My dream scenario is that the sign Cole and are able to somehow trade Happ away (would be ok with the Yankees eating a good chunk of the salary to do so too) to clear up salary, then maybe bring along J. Gray with a trade for the back of their rotation if one or more of German/Monty/Garcia disappoint within the next year or so. Pass on Bum, pass on Wheeler. I like Stras but his injury history is concerning. Add that on to the fact that Paxton could very well be better next season and add a full year of Sevy and that would make the rotation very solid.
“Bumgarner isn’t likely to be a market darling in the nature of Eovaldi or Chatwood.”
Where on earth does this come from?
Consistent, thirty-something players who are (relatively) household names are more expensive and have less upside than streaky, toolsy guys claiming they’ve “found a new approach.”
I’d take Bumgarner over Eovaldi and Chatwood. People make too much out of Eovaldi and how he performed in the WS. Guy is an average pitcher. Nevermind Chatwood, whom I never thought was more than a #4/5 starter, at best. I wouldn’t mind seeing Bumgarner in pinstripes.
Nobody did – except Theo.
The author of this article made that statement. That’s what I was referring to.
I realize what MadBum has done in the past….unreal results. Just not sure if his “good ole boy” persona would play well in certain clubhouses. Could you imagine him having to deal with Boston, Philly or NY? He would be the second coming of Ed Whitson….
Maybe he and Greinke could start a media relations support group. Atlanta would be perfect for him. Passive fans, passive clubhouse and ownership who loves the “silent but deadly types”
I have a feeling Cash will look towards more like Porcello or Wheeler especially with Domingo German likely to be suspended for most of the season. They will bring back Gardner & Betances he will make some trades could finally happen they deal Clint Frazier and keep Tauchman over him.
As for Sanchez what to do with him he is Contreras of the Cubs a powerful offensive catcher that gives you ulcers on defense. Which bringing in Castro as a backup is a good option.
DFA will be Bird & traded Tyler Wade, you can have Miguel Andujar pick up other positions to become versatile.
Agree with all of that but “have Miguel Andujar pick up other positions to become versatile.” Andujar can’t handle the position he has trained at, how is he going to take up others? The only position I see him playing (other than 3rd, which he’ll play poorly) is 1B, as a backup. And I don’t have high hopes for him even becoming serviceable there.
Don’t be surprised if Porcello takes a one year deal and remain in Boston to try to reestablish himself. He apparently loves the City. I’m expecting Holt to re-up as well. Sox first have to find that dance partner to create salary space as to do it the other way will lower their leverage. Yes it can get even lower.
I’d kind of like to see Porcello back as well Dewey. Can pretty much count of 170-200IP of #3-5SP type innings, only I wouldn’t give him anything more than 6-8m this time around and figure he can get more than that on the open market with his fairly young age (31) no injury history and strong track record of consistently giving innings as I mentioned. He’ll somehow manage to get 10-12m on a 1y deal if he wants to go outside of Boston.
The more I listen to Cashman, the more I believe Andujar will be traded. He said clubs keep asking about him and if he truly has trade value, I think he is moved. His future is DH, 1st base or right field. The only one of those I see him doing well is DH.
Why would the Yankees want Rick Porcello? The last 3 years Porcello has had 4.65 era a 4.28 era and a 5.52 era.In 2 of those years his whip was 1.40. His career era is 4.36.You take away his Cy Young year of a 3.15 era he has been a very mediocre pitcher and he’s on the wrong side of 30 What exactly is he the answer too?
Love to meet him in St Louis
I believe the QO is going to be huge deterrent in Madbum signing for what he believes he is worth. I see him signing after the draft just like Keuchel did
He’ll get it. He’ll be overpaid but he’ll get it. Market for good SP is too thin. Even the good, not great ones like MadBum.
Madbum will get like 4 years at 65 million.
MadBaum will resign with the Giants who likely will let other teams establish his market. Reminds me of Jon Lester situation without the negativity. He deserves to retire a Giant.
i sure hope Klentak doesnt go too hard for MadBum. someone will overpay him with all the interest, and this team doesnt need any more 3rd/4th starters.
I hope as a Braves fan they sign madbum and Hamels and then one of the three of Donaldson Rendon or trade for Bryant
To be honest I’d love to see Atlanta sign Bumgarner for 3 years with an option for a 4th and sign Hamels for one year plus an option. Then sign Grandal.
As much as I’d love to see Rendon as a Brave, I just wouldn’t think it likely at all. They will probably go with some combination of Riley and Camargo or sign Moustakas at best.
I do think though that Atlanta will try to be very active in the trade market and try to obtain Marte or a surprise target.
What in the Braves history will lead you to believe they are going to go on that kind of a spending spree. .Figure between Hamels and Madbum 30-40 mill per and then another 20 mill or more for your 3b pick.. Ain’tgonna happen for the Braves
FFS. Two freak injuries is NOT a “notable injury history.”
Baumgarner is as good as gone from SF now that they made the major mistake of hiring the inept Kapler……Vogt will probably bail also now that the mistake has been made. Farhan apparently did not consider the huge fan base that controls the tickets. The social media reaction has been extremely negative. Hopefully this will be a one year trial with SF moving on to a more competent managerial candidate.
Yanks need to pass. This would reek as eerily similar to other Brian cashman moves for settling on aging vets past their primes to save coin or face….It’s just too risky for a win now team.
Agreed
That’s a bust waiting to happen for the Yankees!
Phillies don’t need to go ape over G. Cole or S. Strasburg. They should sign Bumgarner and Cole Hamels to line up behind Aaron Nola. Both will come much cheaper than Cole or Strasburg. That’s a pretty good top three backed up by Arrieta at #4 and Zach Eflin at #5.
If there’s “stupid money” to be spent, spend it on Anthony Rendon to play 3B
Nothing to see here Yankee fans move along and be happy with a 10 million for a .260 hitting fielder in Gardner and once that’s done Cashman and Co will go into the office and slap you know what on the wall and I’m sure some 5-12 SP will stick and they’ll try to turn him into Nolan Ryan. In the end zero will happen and Cash will come out and say we are happy with our SP rotation.
Smoke mirrors smoke mirrors.
Oh Beans…back for more Gardner/Yankee bashing? You read like a cheap politician citing only the stats that serve your purpose.
Why don’t you don a silly Mets cap and move to Flushing? Real Yankee fans don’t like arm chair GM’s with their insecurity based vile spewing. You simply give real Yankee fans a bad rep.
We are all LMFAO that Mrs. Beans has shut off all access while mounting a photo of a shirtless Gardy on your bathroom mirror.
It’s time to break away from the ice cream case and get back into the gym buddy.
career ERA in that pitchers park = 2.72
career ERA in all other parks = 3.53
His numbers over the past 3 seasons are worse than Chase Anderson. I wouldn’t sign him for more than 3 years and $25M total.