Ten Teams That Should Consider Signing Former World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner

Will a World Series MVP award allow Madison Bumgarner to prolong his career?

There’s always a demand for lefties, especially those with postseason experience, but the long-time ace of the San Francisco Giants may have to earn his next job – perhaps by working in relief or even proving himself sound in the minor leagues.

Released by the Arizona Diamondbacks after two years of struggles, the 33-year-old Bumgarner would cost less than the minimum salary to any team that signs him.

With a month of the season gone, that means a signing team would be on the hook for a pro-rated part of the $720,000 minimum, while the D’backs would remain responsible for the rest.

Arizona thought it found the missing link to its pennant puzzle by signing the southpaw to a five-year, $85 million pact before the 2020 season but it fizzled almost before it started.

He won just one game during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, posted losing records in both of the next two seasons, then went 0-3 in four starts this year. That left him with a cumulative Arizona mark of 15-32, accompanied by a 5.23 earned run average.

A four-time All-Star with San Francisco, Bumgarner was the key performer on the pitching staff that helped the Giants win three world championships in alternating years: 2010, 2012, and 2014. In those three World Series, he went 4-0 with a microscopic 0.25 ERA. He won four other postseason games as well.

If Bumgarner wants to resurrect his career, these are the teams most likely willing to take a chance:

1. New York Mets – Injuries that idled Justin Verlander, José Quintana, and Carlos Carrasco in the opening month of the season could open the door for Bumgarner, who might be motivated to pitch for a contender with unlimited funds (owner Steve Cohen is a hedge-fund magnate worth billions). The Mets haven’t been to a World Series since 2015 and seem willing to stockpile aging pitchers, including Verlander, 40, and Max Scherzer, nearly 39.

2. New York Yankees – Like their crosstown rivals, the Yankees will go as far as their pitching can carry them. But newly-signed free agent Carlos Rodón hasn’t thrown a pitch yet and erstwhile ace Luis Severino has also been sidelined. Bumgarner has never pitched in the American League but would have strong offensive support after Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton return from early-season injuries.

3. Boston Red Sox – Pitching problems always seem to plague this club, which plays half its schedule in a bandbox ballpark normally not friendly to left-handed pitchers. But Mel Parnell and Bill Lee thrived there and Bumgarner might be able to pick up the slack. The Sox, like the New York teams, will supply him with better offensive support than the Diamondbacks.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers – Another wealthy club, the Dodgers are used to dominating their division. And Bumgarner is certainly familiar with the National League West, his home throughout his career. Clayton Kershaw, another veteran lefty, is enjoying a renaissance season and should be able to share his secrets with his formal rival.

5. Texas Rangers – New manager Bruce Bochy, lured out of retirement, was the same guy who managed the Giants when Bumgarner was thriving there. Moreover, newly-signed free agent Jacob deGrom just went on the 15-day injured list with an elbow issue whose severity is unknown. Texas also has legendary pitching coach Mike Maddux, helping fuel the team’s pennant aspirations this year. It also has a healthy attack that would provide strong support for Bumgarner.

6. Philadelphia Phillies – The defending National League champions need to bolster a rotation that has a great 1-2 punch in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola but badly needs a veteran lefty who is battle-hardened from previous title chases. Bryce Harper is about to return, bolstering an already-strong attack, but the ballpark is a bandbox and therefore anathema to many pitchers.

7. Atlanta Braves – Bumgarner hails from Braves Country but would almost certainly need to work out of the bullpen, where incumbent lefty A.J. Minter has been an unexpected disaster and Raisel Iglesias has yet to throw a pitch this season. With Michael Soroka about to return from two years of injuries, there’s no room in the rotation for Bumgarner, whom the Braves once coveted.

8. Miami Marlins – With Johnny Cueto and Trevor Rogers on the shelf, Bumgarner would fit well on this budget-conscious club. But the Fish said they’re not interested, though that opinion could change. Bumgarner might at least help Miami bring more people to LoanDepot Park, which was packed for the World Baseball Classic.

9. Oakland Athletics – Returning to his Bay Area roots might resurrect Bumgarner, though the low-budget A’s have the worst record in baseball and don’t have the hitting to support pitchers whose velocity and command are declining. The price and match for Bumgarner are terrific, however.

10. Los Angeles Angels – As a fifth starter on a staff headed by Shohei Ohtani, Bumgarner could earn a halo just by pitching better than Noah Syndergaard did last summer. The team desperately wants to stay in contention so that Ohtani doesn’t desert for free agency after the season. If Bumgarner finds his former form – or even half of it – that would be an enormous help.