The Arizona Diamondbacks have designated former ace Madison Bumgarner for assignment, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Bumgarner has struggled to be the pitcher he was on those championship San Francisco Giants teams ever since he signed with Arizona prior to the 2020 season.
Madison Bumgarner's final line with the Diamondbacks: a 5.23 ERA over 69 starters on a five-year, $85 million deal. Once he clears waivers, he'll be available for every team at the major league minimum of $720,000. First with the news of Bumgarner being DFA'd was @nickpiecoro.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 20, 2023
Bumgarner’s stat line in his final game: 3IP, 7H, 7ER, 4BB against St. Louis, his 2023 ERA is at 10.26. A total disaster of a signing for Arizona, to say the least. When you look at Bumgarner, it’s tough to say where exactly it all went wrong. He’s only 33 years old, but he did pitch a heavy inning load in San Francisco, so perhaps it’s all catching up to him?
Since it is unlikely a team will trade for Bumgarner (they would have to take on his remaining salary of $20.4 million this year and $14 million next season), he’ll be a free agent, and someone may take him up on the league minimum of $720k.
Again, he’s only 33, and his tenacity on the mound is very much intact. Teams with a banged-up rotation, or just looking for some back-end/bullpen depth, might need to have a hard look at the big lefty.