Call to the pen
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MLB rumors: The best players that will be traded this season

By Michael Francis

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 4: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 4: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning during Game 1 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Madison Bumgarner should be the Yankees primary target this offseason.
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Madison Bumgarner

Madison Bumgarner‘s name was mentioned in many trade rumors during the 2018 season and for much of this past off-season. Most fans will always think of Bumgarner as an ace starting pitcher after his remarkable run in the 2014 playoffs, but his production has tanked over the past couple years.

Part of the reason that Bumgarner is still a Giant is because of this decline. The Giants would probably like a return package commensurate of his pedigree while other teams only want to pay for what they expect to get out of him. While there is still a chance that Bumgarner can regain some of his past success, it doesn’t seem entirely likely at this point.

A major factor in the reason Bumgarner wasn’t traded this off-season was also due to the front office turnover. Farhan Zaidi and company are looking to rebuild and retool the Giants, but they are probably wary of trading away a franchise icon such as Bumgarner as their first major move. They will surely move him at some point before his contract runs out, but giving themselves some time with the organization before making the move is probably necessary for PR reasons.

The Giants will be banking on Bumgarner rebuilding some trade value early in 2019 before moving him at the deadline. Teams looking to acquire him will also be hoping for a bounce-back of sorts as peak Bumgarner would be an intriguing piece to add mid-season that would be worth a decent prospect package. Teams were probably willing to buy low on Bumgarner this off-season in hopes that they could benefit from a resurgent Bumgarner. The Giants understandably did not bite.

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