Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — Suddenly Kevin Gausman does not quite have the same appeal.
In a whirlwind Tuesday night, the reported “mystery-team” Giants did not land Gerrit Cole, who instead went to the Yankees on a monstrous deal, and the Giants reportedly are in danger of losing Madison Bumgarner to the enemy.
According to The Athletic, the Dodgers, the bridesmaids for Cole’s services, now are pivoting toward the legendary Giants lefty. Much of that earmarked Cole money can be redirected toward Bumgarner, who is believed to be seeking a five-year contract worth nine figures.
The Giants met with Bumgarner’s representatives recently at the Winter Meetings, but Farhan Zaidi did not want to spill out too much of what was said.
“We had the conversation on our end. I don’t really know beyond that,” the team’s president of baseball operations said from the team’s hotel suite Tuesday.
So it’s unclear if Zaidi was warned the possible public-relations critical hit that soon could be coming. The Giants still have plenty of money to spend, but judging from Zaidi’s background, it’s unlikely he would extend a deal that long to a pitcher with Bumgarner’s wear and tear (1,846 career regular-season innings). It’s possible the Giants, so fearful of the fan blowback that would ensue, would change plans and make a more concerted effort to keep Bumgarner.
Others linked to the 30-year-old postseason legend include the Twins, Braves, Diamondbacks and Phillies. Perhaps the Angels will emerge after they, too, were left at the altar by Cole.
Cole, who got $324 million from the Yankees, is a happy guy. Bumgarner, whose value is peaking, has to be a happy guy.
Giants fans, are you happy guys/gals?
