MLB Trade Rumors: Madison Bumgarner Could Be Dealt Before July With Giants Out Of 2019 Playoff Race

Madison Bumgarner has been at the center of trade rumors for essentially the entire year. All of the speculation regarding his next destination might come to an end sooner rather than later.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan said on “Get Up” Monday morning that Bumgarner could be dealt within the week. The San Francisco Giants are expected to trade their ace before the July 31 deadline because they are not playoff contenders and Bumgarner is set to become a free agent this fall.

Passan speculated that a team like the Texas Rangers could take a chance on Bumgarner, knowing that they could trade him in a few weeks if they fall out of the postseason race. Texas is 6.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West, but they are only a half-game behind the Cleveland Indians for the second AL Wild-Card spot.

The New York Yankees have been linked to Bumgarner for months because of their need for a starting pitcher. The Yankees, however, don’t seem to view Bumgarner as a top-flight starter, making them unwilling to trade outfielder Clint Frazier in a deal with San Francisco, according to SNY.

New York is more likely to trade for a pitcher that’s under contract beyond this season.

There have been rumors that the Minnesota Twins could be players for Bumgarner. Minnesota is the biggest surprise team of the 2019 MLB season, owning the American League’s best record and an eight-game lead in the AL Central.

Bumgarner is among the greatest pitchers in postseason history, though he is no longer performing like an elite starter. After missing a significant portion of both the 2017 and 2018 seasons with injuries, he’s posted a 4.28 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 96.2 innings this year.

Bumgarner finished in the top-nine in the NL Cy Young voting in every year from 2013-2016. He won the 2014 World Series MVP award with a 0.43 ERA in 21 innings.