© Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants find themselves at the bottom of the division once again, and that could lead to the departure of one of the most iconic pitchers in the history of the Giants. Not a single soul knows what the future holds for Bumgarner and the Giants, as speculation and trade rumors continue to swirl.
Wednesday afternoon, Giants beat writer for the Mercury News, Kerry Crowley, joined Gary & Larry to discuss the current state of San Francisco and potential shakeups that could come along with another losing season.
Rumors surrounding Madison Bumgarner’s future have been swirling for over a year now. With each start being crucial for any potential trade value, is every fifth day an audition for potential suitors?
“Absolutely, absolutely”, Crowley said. “He’s admitted that he’s thought about it. I think for someone like Madison Bumgarner to say that, it’s really an insight into his mentality right now. He knows that his days in San Francisco may not last that much longer.”
A free agent after this season, Bumgarner’s time with the Giants could potentially end through free agency. In an ideal world, Bumgarner and the Giants would have worked out an extension a while ago, keeping him as a Giant for the foreseeable future. If the team is able to be competitive, those discussions may ramp up if the team begins to take steps towards contention.
“He would love to be a Giant for life, and if the team can turn it around and he can be involved in some sort of a Wild-Card chase like that, then he’d absolutely be open to it and sticking here for much longer. If an extension came on the table this offseason and the Giants were the number one team pursuing him in free agency, he’s realistic about his situation.”
Spending your entire career with one team, while winning three championships and establishing yourself as a franchise great, it could be frustrating to play amidst rumors of your departure.
“Most baseball players realize that when they’re on a losing team, they can provide value to a contending club. He knows that his future is very much in doubt, and the number one thing for him is winning.”
Trading Bumgarner would certainly be a tough pill to swallow for everybody associated with the Giants. Bumgarner loves to win, and a potential move to a contender may not be such a terrible move in his eyes.
“If he gets to August and September and has a chance to get another ring with another club, I think he’d be thrilled with it.”
No trade seems imminent as the Giants are only thirty games into the new season. Moves of this magnitude can be franchise-altering, and will not likely take place until closer to the July 31st trade deadline.
“I don’t know about a deal soon, but I think it could be a massive July in the Giants front office, but in terms of soon, maybe if a club really wants Sam Dyson. I just don’t know.”
Wednesday night, Bumgarner takes on Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Dodgers in an effort to clinch a series victory over their arch-rivals and bounce back from his previous rough start.
Listen to Kerry Crowley’s full interview here: