3 potential landing spots for Madison Bumgarner after DFA

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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.

Here are the top three potential landing spots for Madison Bumgarner, in no particular order

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 04: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks yells at umpire Dan Bellino #2 before being ejected from the game as he walks off the mound during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 04, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Angels

Honestly, nothing makes more sense than the Angels going after Bumgarner. He’s a big name, and can provide some depth to a team that has struggled to field a solid rotation for years. Looking at this year alone, outside of Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval, there is definitely room for improvement.

Through 21.0 IP, Ohtani is sporting a 0.86 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 11.6 K/9, he has only allowed six hits. In 14.2 IP, Sandoval is at a 1.23 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. The remaining starters who have thrown the most innings thus far for the Angels this season are Reid Detmers at 16 IP (4.50 ERA); Tyler Anderson at 14.2 IP (6.75 ERA); Jose Suarez at 11.2 IP (9.26 ERA). Griffin Canning has also started two games, and has pitched 10 innings.

The reason why this destination may not work out though: all of those pitchers are lefty, aside from Ohtani and Canning. This team is in need of some more pitching, but I doubt the Angels are looking to add yet another lefty to the rotation or bullpen.

Apr 29, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago White Sox

With what seems like a ton of talent on paper, the White Sox are yet again struggling to start the year. I’m not here to say Madison Bumgarner will be the one to turn the tide of their season, but he could provide some depth to their rotation. Dylan Cease is off to a great start and is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else in that rotation, sporting a 2.01 ERA in 22.1IP.

Mike Clevinger has gotten off to a solid start, but his issue is more about longevity through the course of a season. In 19.1 IP, he has a 3.26 ERA. Michael Kopech has been up and down for essentially his entire career with Chicago, and has gotten off to a tough start, allowing seven home runs in 15.2IP. Lance Lynn has a 11.8 K/9, the highest on the team, but he has a 7.59 ERA because he has allowed six home runs.

Bumgarner has been plagued by the long ball over the past few years, so he it may be more of the same if they bring him on to this rotation.

Apr 14, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees

The Yankees potentially had the best starting rotation coming into spring training but, one by one, the injuries piled up for New York. Frankie Montas, who the Yankees acquired in a trade last year, didn’t really pan out the way the Yankees expected. On top of that, Montas injury to his shoulder, which was known by the Yankees, worsened and he was required to have surgery. Then, Luis Severino started the season on the IL with a lat strain, but began throwing earlier this month. Finally, the crown jewel of free agency for New York, Carlos Rodon, went down with a forearm injury during spring training. Although his arm is now healthy, he has been having back problems that has kept him on the IL.

Overall, the Bombers are pretty banged up, and it might not hurt to get a veteran like Bumgarner in on the vet minimum. Fortunately for them, Gerrit Cole has been stellar, as has Nestor Cortes. Domingo German is up and down, but then Clarke Schmidt and Jhony Brito have struggled on the back end. The Yankees aren’t usually ones to make moves like this, but perhaps the presence of Bumgarner could even things out until the rotation gets healthy.

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