The San Francisco Giants have the most valuable trade piece in the market this season in Madison Bumgarner, but they should trade him right now. Here’s why.
Madison Bumgarner may arguably be the best pitcher in postseason history. He led the San Francisco Giants to three championships in five seasons and was on the mound for the last out of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.
This is why Bumgarner is the most valuable trade piece on the market this summer because of his postseason greatness.
A trade has to happen now for both sides of a deal. For the Giants, you don’t want to run the risk of him pitching until late July and either his performance declines (lowering his value) or him getting injured-making him obviously irrelevant in the trade market.
For the contender would be receiving him (assuming he is healthy) you would be getting 5-7 additional starts out of Bumgarner, which might improve your record.
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If the Giants were to wait, other starting pitchers may become available like Mike Minor or Trevor Bauer or Marcus Stroman. If this were to happen, the contenders may be calling the Rangers, Indians, and Blue Jays to see if they could get those starters for a much smaller price (prospects) than Bumgarner would take.
If he were to be traded, it would be great for both teams.
The Giants would definitely get back a huge haul of major league ready players and high upside prospects. Those would include outfielders and starting pitchers because San Francisco is in dire need of major league ready outfielders and starting pitchers who would be ready once the Cueto and Samardzija contracts come off the books.
So, San Francisco Giants GM Farhan Zaidi would get his players of the future, but the contender would also be happy.
Although the contender who acquires Bumgarner would be giving a big chunk of their top talent to San Francisco, they would probably be the favorites to win the World Series.
Madison Bumgarner won’t just give them 7-8 strong innings in any given postseason game, but he can also give you an inning (or three) out of the ‘pen.
Imagine these scenarios.
Madison Bumgarner walking into the Yankees clubhouse, energizing the pitching staff and doing nothing but elevating everyone.
Imagine Madison Bumgarner and Bryce Harper being teammates. Madison Bumgarner would be a perfect fit for the Phillies, as he would be a lefty starter that Philadelphia does not have.
The Phillies have multiple bullpen arms that are on the Injured List, and those who aren’t haven’t really seen the postseason. Bumgarner would be able to aid them if Gabe Kapler needed an inning to close out the Dodgers in the NLDS.
A Madison Bumgarner trade would work well for both teams but needs to happen now.