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Madison Bumgarner Trade Rumors: Anonymous Giants Source Doesn't See SP Leaving
November 30, 2018
San Francisco Giants star Madison Bumgarner's name has been mentioned in the rumor mill early on this offseason, but that doesn't mean he will be wearing a different uniform in 2019.
One San Francisco source downplayed the likelihood of a Bumgarner trade this winter to Fancred's Jon Heyman: "Don't see him going anywhere."
The 29-year-old southpaw is under contract for two more seasons after the Giants exercised his 2019 club option last month. He is set to make $12 million in each of the next two seasons.
When healthy, Bumgarner has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since he debuted in 2009. He is 110-83 with a 3.03 ERA in 255 career appearances, featuring 252 starts. He has been a workhorse in recent years, throwing 200-plus innings on an annual basis from 2011-16.
The four-time All-Star does not have a Cy Young Award to his name, but he has finished in the top 11 of voting five times, finishing as high as fourth twice.
As good as Bumgarner has been during the regular season, his legacy will always be defined by his postseason heroics. The veteran left-hander has three World Series rings on his resume and put the team on his back during the 2014 playoffs, winning both the NLCS and World Series MVP awards.
He is 8-3 with a 2.11 ERA and three shutouts in 16 postseason appearances (14 starts).
Not only is Bumgarner an ace on the mound, but he is a force at the plate as well. He has won two Silver Slugger awards thanks to 17 career home runs.
The issue, though, is that Bumgarner has dealt with injuries in each of the past two years. He was limited to just 17 starts last year after suffering a Grade 2 sprain of the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in a dirt-bike accident in April 2017, and he made just 21 starts this year due to a broken pinky finger sustained in spring training.
The ace has been a bargain when he's been healthy. However, the Giants have missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, finishing 73-89 in 2018.
Bumgarner has become a fan favorite in San Francisco through the years, so dealing him would be a tough sell to a passionate fanbase. However, with the star pitcher scheduled to hit free agency in two years, the Giants have to look out for the best interest of the franchise.