San Francisco Giants Rumors: Madison Bumgarner trade partner emerges
Based on the latest San Francisco Giants rumors, ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner could soon be traded to one of the NL’s top teams.
Since falling to the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 NLDS, the San Francisco Giants have been woeful. They won 64 and 73 games in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The even year magic that led them to three World Series title in five years has run out.
In an effort to recapture it, the Giants replaced Bobby Evans with Farhan Zaidi as President of Baseball Operations. Zaidi quickly made it clear that every player on the roster is available via trade, including ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
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While talks have heated up and cooled down throughout the winter, there is a belief that a Bumgarner deal wouldn’t be made until later in the year, perhaps even at the trade deadline. And yet, according to the most recent rumors, a deal may not be that far off.
According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Giants have been in contact with the Milwaukee Brewers about a potential swap that would include Bumgarner:
"The Brewers and Giants have had substantive communication about a Bumgarner trade this winter, sources say, and the Brewers are continuing their internal deliberations about how much they’re willing to give up in order to acquire the three-time World Series hero."
Though the price isn’t unreasonably high for a player with Bumgarner’s ability and resumé, his inability to stay healthy has likely raised some red flags for the Brewers and other potential suitors. Injury concerns combined with a propensity for letting his emotions get the best of him (note: Yasiel Puig is now a member of the Cincinnati Reds) could make Bumgarner a high-risk, high-reward situation for the Brewers.
The Giants are looking to get younger which, as Morosi notes, the Brewers can help with.
"The Giants must address their below-average outfield production, and the Brewers possess good Minor League depth in that area even after trading Keon Broxton to the Mets. Of the Brewers’ top six prospects according to MLB Pipeline, three are outfielders: No. 2 Corey Ray, No. 5 Tristen Lutz and No. 6 Joe Gray."
Bumgarner started 21 games last season, failing to eclipse 30 starts for the second season in a row. He went 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 129.2 innings. While the Brewers could certainly use a regular-season horse to rely on, they’re looking for help once October rolls around.
Milwaukee fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of last year’s NLCS, a pressure situation that Bumgarner has some experience with.
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Dealing a Giants legend like Bumgarner is a big decision that could alienate the fanbase. However, Zaidi seems committed to a rebuild and moving the ace could be fruitful in the long run.