MLB Rumors: Former World Series MVP Could Be Traded

The top-end free agent pitching market is a little thin this offseason. After the big names are off the board—Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon—there are some nice but not utterly dominant options left. That's when the Arizona Diamondbacks could get some traction in their plans to unload starter Madison Bumgarner. 

The former World Series MVP is owed $37M over the next two seasons, and the D-Backs would love get out from under that contract. After teams have handed out the massive deals to the top-end free agents, the Snakes hope that MadBum's contract won't look so bad. 

Madison Bumgarner: 2014 World Series https://t.co/IVZFVUX59C pic.twitter.com/RijRNhtmmh

— Ian Bruce (@DCHNPod) November 10, 2022

The 33-year-old had a nice first half in 2022, with a 3.83 ERA over 19 starts. But it all blew up in the second half, as Bumgarner struggled to a 6.50 ERA over 11 starts.

The 2014 World Series MVP will turn 34 in the middle of next season, and he hasn't had an ERA below the mid-4s in over three years. His days as an elite starter seem to be in the rearview mirror. In 2022, he finished with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP, with only 6.4 K/9, the lowest mark of his career. 

He is a 4-time former All-Star with championship pedigree, so it'll be interesting to see if there's a team out there that thinks they can tap into the past with MadBum.

Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports