The closer we get to spring training without the San Francisco Giants making significant moves to upgrade their roster, the likelier it becomes that they will trade ace starter Madison Bumgarner.
That’s the presumption from the Bay Area after new de facto general manager Farhan Zaidi‘s comments on the situation after he was hired.
Set to earn $12 million in the final year of his contract, it’s long been believed that Bumgarner is on the trade block. Given that the Giants are bordering between irrelevance and rebuild, it makes sense for the team to move its ace.
According to this report from Jon Morosi of MLB.com, San Francisco has talked to the Milwaukee Brewers about the 29-year-old former World Series MVP.
“The Brewers and Giants have had substantive communication about a Bumgarner trade this winter, sources say, and the Brewers are continuing their internal deliberations about how much they’re willing to give up in order to acquire the three-time World Series hero,” Morosi reported.
The report also noted that the Brewers are Bumgarner’s most-likely destination in a trade.
In need of replenishing their farm system, trading Bumgarner would be the best way to expedite that process. Whether it happens remains to be seen.
For the Brewers, this would make a ton of sense. Fresh off a surprising NL Central title, Milwaukee has been looking for rotation upgrades all offseason. Bumgarner would slot in as the team’s ace, furthering Milwaukee’s ability to repeat as division champs and compete for a World Series title.