There’s no way Madison Bumgarner will sign with the Dodgers

Madison Bumgarner is a legend in the Bay Area, so I can’t envision him pitching at Oracle Park in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.

After missing out on New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, the Los Angeles Dodgers are moving their focus to Madison Bumgarner, according to The Athletic. NBC Sports Area also reported that Bumgarner and the Dodgers have a mutual interest in a free-agent deal, which would be a nightmare scenario for Giants fans.

The Dodgers met with Bumgarner’s agents during the Winter Meetings in San Diego, but fans shouldn’t get to riled up yet.

I understand that the Dodgers have the money to give to Bumgarner and people have said that if Los Angeles shows him the money, then he will go. But Bumgarner is the definition of a competitor and it is just impossible for me to envision Madison Bumgarner walking into Oracle Park in Dodger blue.

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Bumgarner is one of the best players to ever put on a Giants uniform, as he has led them to three World Series titles. He hated the Dodgers when he pitched for San Francisco. Moments that come to mind are the Puig confrontations and the recent Max Muncy home run when he told Bumgarner to go get it out of the ocean.

Bruce Bochy just retired last year from managing–at least for now– and Bumgarner was a big fan of his skipper and I don’t think he could easily call up Bochy and tell him he is going to go join the Giants most hated rival just a year after Bochy retired.

Bumgarner could get the money from the Dodgers–and it could be more money or years than any other team offers him–but Bumgarner probably would have the Dodgers be his last preference among the teams inquiring on him in free agency.

Of course, there is going to be steam when Bumgarner’s name comes up in rumors with the Dodgers but I just don’t see how Bumgarner could look Buster Posey in the eye while in a Dodgers uniform.