MLB Trade Rumors: Madison Bumgarner Likely To Be Dealt, Yankees, Phillies, Brewers, Braves Are Fits

Madison Bumgarner might not be traded at the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings. That doesn’t necessarily mean the left-hander will be on the San Francisco Giants when the 2019 season comes to a conclusion.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Giants will probably deal their ace at some point before the July 31 trade deadline. The New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves are thought to be the most likely landing spots.

New York and Philadelphia are looking to add a frontline starter. Both teams were among the top three contenders for Patrick Corbin, but the best free-agent pitcher signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Washington Nationals. The Yankees and Phillies are now targeting J.A. Happ in free agency.

Dallas Keuchel is at the top of Atlanta’s wish list, according to Fancred’s Jon Heyman, but the left-hander might be out of the Braves’ price range at the moment. Atlanta’s best option to add a starting pitcher that fits their budget might be to trade some of their highly touted prospects for Bumgarner or one of the Cleveland Indians’ available starters.

The Brewers want to improve their rotation after the team relied on the bullpen to reach Game 7 of the NLCS.

Bumgarner, 29, might be the most affordable option when it comes to starting pitching. He’s got just one year and $12 million left on his contract.

Aside from his historic playoff numbers, Bumgarner was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2013-2016. He made the All-Star team every year during that span with two top-four Cy Young finishes to go along with a sixth-place and a ninth-place finish. Bumgarner started at least 31 games in each of those seasons.

Multiple injuries limited Bumgarner to just 17 starts in 2017 and 21 starts last year. The veteran returned from a broken hand to post a 3.49 ERA after the 2018 All-Star break.

The Giants went 73-89 last season, finishing well below .500 for the second straight year. San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is expected to try and get something for Bumgarner as the organization looks toward the future.