Bleacher Report’s Rymer details potential trades for D-backs’ Bumgarner

The Arizona Diamondbacks (32-40) have been more competitive than many expected in the 2022 season and may have some interesting prospects for potential World Series contenders at the deadline.

Left handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner is one name that has drawn attention due to not only his play this season, but phenomenal resume throughout the postseason in his career.

Bumgarner has a 3-7 record, 3.75 ERA, his best since 2018, 1.37 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 15 games played this season.

The lefty signed a 5-year, $85 million contract with Arizona in 2020 with $37 million owed over the remaining two seasons after 2022.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer detailed potential trades for the lefty as the 2022 trade dealine approaches.

No. 10 Cleveland Guardians, No. 9 Atlanta Braves, No. 8 Los Angeles Angels, No. 7 Los Angeles Dodgers and No. 6 St. Louis Cardinals

Rymer mentions the first three teams seem somewhat unlikely as the Guardians have one of the lowest payrolls and the Braves and Angles both are already spending large amounts of money.

It seems unlikely, but Rymer shows why a trade to their biggest division rival would make sense.

Giants fans probably don’t want to picture one of the franchise’s icons in Dodger blue, but we swear we’re not bringing up the idea for trolling purposes. Already without Walker Buehler (flexor strain), the Dodgers will have to consider all their trade options if they lose another starter to injury before the deadline.

No. 5 Milwaukee Brewers, No. 4 Toronto Blue Jays and No. 3 Minnesota Twins

He mentions the Brewers’ starting pitching has struggled in 2022 outside of starter Corbin Burnes. Leading the NL Central, Milwaukee may want to add starting help.

The Blue Jays sit nine games over .500 but still are 11.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. They do also face a hefty payroll and adding Bumgarner’s salary may make a bigger hit in a loaded division. He points out Arizona’s left could be a good “innings-eater” behind stars Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah.

The Twins are tied atop the AL Central with the Guardians. Rymer mentions how the Twins are averaging 4.2 innings per starter and Bumgarner again could come in and be an instant help.

No. 2 San Francisco Giants and No. 1 New York Mets

The Giant make sense in Rymer’s mind as Bumgarner helped bring two championships to the team he was drafted at. The Giants also need to stay competitive with two of MLB’s best in the Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the NL West.

They’ve gotten good stuff out of co-aces Logan Webb and Carlos Rodon, who’ve pitched to a 2.99 ERA over 28 starts. Yet the other starters the Giants have run out there have mustered only a 4.48 ERA. There’s also a question of durability among that group, as Anthony DeSclafani only recently came off the IL and Jakob Junis (hamstring) just went on it. …

Unlike the other teams at the top of this list, the Giants are actually spending well below their established peak. If they get desperate enough for some stability in the back end of their rotation, they might simply take Bumgarner and his contract off Arizona’s hands.

The Mets are in first in the NL East by 5.5 games over the Braves. With Jacob deGrom (shoulder), Max Scherzer (oblique) and Carlos Carrasco (back) all injured, New York could use another established starter.

But while the Mets can be patient in the meantime, they shouldn’t be overly confident that their rotation will hold together for the second half. Out of that aforementioned fivesome, Walker is the only one in his 20s, and even he has a crowded injury history.

The catch should be that the Mets already have the highest payroll in baseball, but…nah. Steve Cohen is simply too rich to pinch pennies, especially while his team is staring down a World Series run and due for a fair bit of financial relief in the offseason.

The Diamondbacks have a decision to make whether to be a buyer, seller or sit put at the looming trade deadline.