The Madison Bumgarner era hasn’t exactly gone as planned for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After signing the veteran to a five-year, $85 million deal prior to the 2020 season, the Diamondbacks haven’t gotten a whole lot of bang for their buck.
Bumgarner is fighting it this season, struggling to a 5.73 ERA and 4.44 FIP through 12 starts.
The lefty has allowed five or more runs in three consecutive starts, giving him a 12.00 ERA over that span.
He wasn’t much better last year—in fact, he was worse—posting a 6.48 ERA and 7.18 FIP over nine starts.
Overall, Bumgarner has a 6.04 ERA in his two seasons with Arizona, which is one of the worst clips in all of MLB over that span.
Madison Bumgarner has made 12 starts this season.
In 6 of those, he has allowed 5 runs or more, posting an 11.57 ERA.
In his other six starts, he has 1.32 ERA (34 IP, 5 ER).— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 2, 2021
For that reason, it would make good sense if the Diamondbacks took some calls at the upcoming trade deadline to try to potentially unload the 31-year-old’s contract.
Three teams in particular might entertain the idea of a Bumgarner trade.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are barely staying afloat in an extremely competitive American League East and could use a shot in the arm.
Bumgarner is a high-energy guy who could provide that very thing.
Plus, the Blue Jays have a rotation that could use some help in certain areas.
Ross Stripling (5.11 ERA) and Anthony Kay (6.62) have struggled this year, and Bumgarner could provide some major relief in that department if he’s able to get back on track this season.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the most electric pitching staffs in all of baseball.
Trevor Bauer (2.24 ERA), Clayton Kershaw (3.33), Walker Buehler (2.82), and Julio Urias (3.61) will likely round out the team’s four-man rotation once playoff baseball comes around, and you have to feel good about your chances when you’re able to give the ball to any one of those studs.
Dustin May was the Dodgers’ fifth rotation arm to start the season, but he was unfortunately lost for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month.
The Dodgers have not yet filled May’s void, and Bumgarner could be the perfect guy to do so.
just noticed the Dodgers rotation as a unit is striking out hitters over 30% of the time
— @balls (@SpaldingBalls) May 28, 2021
1. Cleveland Indians
Despite having playoff aspirations, the Cleveland Indians have the 22nd-ranked rotation ERA in MLB.
Shane Bieber (3.08 ERA), Aaron Civale (3.28), and Zach Plesac (4.14) have all been very solid, but the staff is a mess beyond those three.
Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen have gotten the majority of the starts out of the four and five spots, and it has not been pretty.
They have ERAs of 6.26 and 9.19, respectively.
At the very least, contending teams need four semi-reliable starters in order to be a serious threat to make a run.
Bumgarner—even amid his current struggles—would provide a massive upgrade over either of the two aforementioned options in the back of the rotation.
On top of that, the Indians have the youngest pitching staff in baseball with an average age of 25.9 years.
In that regard, Bumgarner would bring two things to the table.
First, he’d bring a veteran presence which is invaluable to such a young group of arms.
Bumgarner, 31, is in his 13th MLB season.
Second, he’d bring playoff experience.
It’s very well-documented how successful Bumgarner has been throughout his playoff career.
Over 16 postseason appearances, he has a 2.11 ERA, a .201 opponent’s batting average, and a .544 opponent’s OPS.
He has both an NLCS MVP Award and a World Series MVP Award to his credit.
If Bumgarner’s postseason dominance is still with him despite his recent regular season struggles, he could be a key playoff starter for a team full of arms that lack playoff experience.
NEXT: Ranking The Top 3 Most Overrated Players In MLB