Phillies Targeting Bumgarner, Minor and Greinke but do They Fit?

The Philadelphia Phillies have had talks with the respective teams of Madison Bumgarner, Zack Greinke, Mike Minor, and Matthew Boyd but which arm makes the most sense?

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury reported that the Phillies have talked to the Giants about Madison Bumgarner, the D-Backs about Zack Greinke, the Rangers about Mike Minor, and the Tigers about their ace Matthew Boyd. He also said the club has been in contact with free-agent Drew Smyly.

Each would be an upgrade for the Phillies rotation, but only a couple stand out as ones that make the most sense.

A Zack Greinke trade is the least likely to happen because his contract is so bad. He is signed through 2021 when he will be 37 and is earning $32 million each of the final two seasons of his contract.

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The Phillies rotation is right-handed heavy, as their entire rotation is currently right-handed. Therefore, adding a Madison Bumgarner or Mike Minor would suit them the best.

Madison Bumgarner may be the best postseason pitcher of all-time, as he helped the Giants win three World Series rings in five years.

Although Bumgarner’s hard-hit rate has increased and he is giving up more home runs, there should be a different intensity from him when he gets in the playoffs.

In his recent starts like on Thursday, he has been efficient when it comes to his pitch count. It only took him 56 pitches to get through 5 innings vs the Mets at home.

He has already proved that he can pitch in the bullpen in must-win games as well, as he closed out the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.

I wrote a piece this week that the Giants recent surge won’t be affecting their Deadline plans which include trading Bumgarner.

Mike Minor, on the other hand, might be harder to get from the Rangers. He is under contract until the end of next season, and the Rangers might want him to be starting the first game in their new ballpark across the street from the current home of the Rangers, Globe Life Park.

He has had a breakout season with a 2.73 ERA in 19 starts, but it isn’t guaranteed he will be the same pitcher next season, so Texas may want to deal him for top prospects before its too late.

Both Mike Minor and Madison Bumgarner makes the most sense because not only are they pitching like aces but they are also lefties that would even out the Philadelphia rotation and give ace Aaron Nola some additional help at the top of the rotation.