MLB Rumors: Madison Bumgarner, Didi Gregorius To Earn Big Contracts And Stephen Strasburg Likely To Return To Nationals

The MLB winter GM meetings have yielded some really interesting rumors such as Madison Bumgarner’s new salary demands, the fact that Didi Gregorius might just get a big contract and that Stephen Strasburg’s likeliest destination for next season is the Washington Nationals.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Madison Bumgarner camp has informed interested organizations that he wants a contract worth nine-figures over the course of five seasons. Industry experts had previously guessed the southpaw would earn a four-year, $72 million pact.

However, his asking price isn’t much larger than that so it is feasible that he could maintain enough quality to make such a deal worthwhile for potential suitors. His velocity is down to 91-92 mph and his strikeout rates haven’t returned to pre-2018 levels as hoped.

Still, there are teams out there who will take a chance on Bumgarner. The Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds are being linked with the former San Francisco Giant. Other possible destinations include the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, but whoever signs MadBum will have to part with draft pick compensation as he was given a qualifying offer by the Giants.

Didi Gregorius may also get a larger contract than anticipated. The former Yankee and Arizona Diamondback is coming off an injury-shortened 2019 which looked as if it would affect his market value. John Heyman of MLB Network claims this won’t prevent the short-stop from getting $14-15 million per season in a multi-year deal.

This price may put off previous suitors like the Reds, but the Philadelphia Phillies are among other interested teams. His value is aided by the fact that so few free agent short-stops are available on the market right now.

Finally, Stephen Strasburg might return to the Washington Nationals after all. Reports from last week indicated that the Nats could only afford to bring back one of Strasburg or free agent third baseman Anthony Rendon. However, Jon Heyman of MLB Network claims that the organization feels they can keep the pitcher but keeping Rendon may be more difficult.

The Yankees are among the other clubs interested in Strasburg. However, like the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers, the Bombers want Gerrit Cole more than the long-time National. As per Heyman’s report, the Yankees and Nationals both feel as though seeing Strasburg in Washington is more likely than seeing Anthony Rendon.

Should the slugging third baseman depart, his likeliest destinations are the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.