Madison Bumgarner, also known as “MadBum,” has been designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks after a disappointing start to the 2021 season. The 31-year-old left-handed pitcher has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball over the past decade, but injuries and a decline in performance have diminished his value over the past few years. Despite this, Bumgarner could still be an asset to a number of teams if he can get back to his pre-injury form. Here are four potential landing spots for the veteran pitcher, as well as whether or not he’s worth a shot.
San Francisco Giants
MadBum spent the majority of his career with the San Francisco Giants, leading them to three World Series championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014. While his departure from the Giants was contentious, the team could benefit from his return. The Giants are currently in contention for the NL West and could use a solid left-handed pitcher in their rotation. Plus, the return of a fan-favorite like Bumgarner would be a welcome sight for the Giants faithful.
New York Mets
The Mets are currently in first place in the NL East, but their rotation has been hit hard by injuries. Jacob deGrom is the team’s only consistent starter, and the team has had to rely on inexperienced pitchers to fill out the rest of the rotation. Bumgarner could bring some much-needed experience and stability to the Mets’ rotation, and his postseason success would be valuable if the team makes it to the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have exceeded expectations this season, but their pitching staff has been inconsistent. Bumgarner could provide a steady presence in the rotation and could help mentor some of the team’s younger pitchers. Plus, the Red Sox are in a tough division and could use a veteran like Bumgarner to help them compete against teams like the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners aren’t exactly contenders this season, but they could be interested in adding Bumgarner to their rotation as a veteran presence for their younger pitchers. The team has a number of promising young pitchers, but they could use a mentor like Bumgarner to help them develop their skills. The Mariners could also use Bumgarner as a trade chip at the deadline if he performs well.
Is he worth a shot?
Bumgarner’s performance over the past few seasons has left a lot to be desired, but he could still be a valuable addition to a number of teams. His postseason success and experience could be invaluable for teams in contention, and his ability to eat innings could be useful for teams that need to ease the workload on their bullpens. However, any team that signs Bumgarner will need to be cautious with how they use him, as he has a history of injury problems. Ultimately, Bumgarner is worth a shot for teams that are willing to take a chance on him, but he’s not a sure thing.
