Three moves for Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason

Find a taker for Madison Bumgarner

After trading Zack Greinke, the Arizona Diamondbacks were the surprising landing spot for former Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner. The idea was that he would be able to step up as the veteran leader of the rotation, taking over as their new staff ace.

We all know what they say about the best laid plans. Bumgarner has been a disaster with the Diamondbacks, posting a 5.07 ERA in his 188 innings, although with a solid 1.239 WHiP. While his overall numbers for 2021 were not exactly great, he did post a respectable 3.95 ERA and a 1.131 WHiP over his 86.2 innings after he returned from a stint on the Injured List last season.

If Bumgarner can be that pitcher he was in the second half of 2021, he could be a viable contributor on a contending team. He is due another $60 million over the next three seasons, which is not exactly cheap, but the Diamondbacks could pick up some of that contract to land better prospects.

This may be easier said than done. While there are several teams that could use an arm such as Bumgarner, his salary could be a sticking point. Nonetheless, this is something that the Diamondbacks have to attempt this offseason.

Madison Bumgarner has not been what the Arizona Diamondbacks had hoped for. However, his second half of the 2021 campaign leads to the hope that he could be a tradable commodity.