New York Yankees potential trade target: Madison Bumgarner
Verdict
There have been several reports that the New York Yankees scouting and analytics departments have been split about Bumgarner. With the points laid out above, it makes sense as to why. While the Bombers would know what they’re getting in Bumgarner, the price is one that probably would not make sense for a rental player. He’s frankly not that much better than some of the options they already have in their clubhouse.
Bumgarner is not the pitcher he was several years ago when he was an all-star for four straight years between 2013-16. One popular point is that Justin Verlander wasn’t pitching well for Detroit before his trade to Houston in 2017. But Verlander had numbers on his side to suggest he could rebound into the pitcher he was before.
Aside from declining talent, Bumgarner’s peripheral stats are not compatible with the analytical numbers the New York Yankees typically like to see in their starting pitchers. If the Yankees do get Bumgarner, it’s likely because all of their preferred plans fell through.
Sam Francisco is going to move the pending free agent pitcher eventually by the deadline. When they do, he’ll wind up somewhere other than the Bronx.