Chicago Cubs: 5 pitchers to monitor on trade block
By Ryan Heckman
Madison Bumgarner
Starting Pitcher
San Francisco Giants
ERA: 3.86
WHIP: 1.22
IP: 116.2
K: 121
BB: 25
He is not what he once was, but Madison Bumgarner can still be an effective pitcher in today’s game. Health has been an issue for him, but when he’s out there, he has full control. For a while now, Bumgarner’s name has been amidst trade talks.
The tough part about a Bumgarner trade, though, is his no-trade clause within his contract. Bumgarner can waive that clause if he so chooses, but it would likely take a lot from the receiving team in terms of a contract extension, which of course means more money.
Ken Rosenthal gave us all a look into the teams on Bumgarner’s list which he could end up waiving that clause for (Warning: tweet is highly confusing).
Madison Bumgarner’s eight-team no-trade list, per sources:#Braves#RedSox#Cubs#Astros#Brewers#Yankees#Phillies#STLCards
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2019
Bumgarner chose teams strategically; list comprised solely of contenders that might want to acquire him from #SFGiants, not teams he wants to avoid.
Back in May, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Martell noted that the teams on this list were likely to make an offer for Bumgarner.
What kind of offer would the Cubs be willing to make, though? As Martell also described, Chicago would be more likely to make a deal for an additional reliever, if they make a deal at all.
Still, the thought of adding Bumgarner is a juicy one. Could you imagine?