Madison Bumgarner has started to look more like the pitcher of old in recent weeks, which has his trade value soaring ahead of the July 31 deadline.
Four teams, according to The Athletic, seem to be the most interested in finding a deal with the Giants for the 29-year-old — the Brewers, Braves, Astros and Twins.
Bumgarner is just 5-7 with a 4.03 ERA this season but won his last two starts before suffering an elbow contusion two innings into his most recent outing.
Though his numbers over the last two-plus seasons tell a different story, Bumgarner insists he’s just as effective as he was when he finished in the top 10 of Cy Young voting each season from 2013-16.
“I’m the same guy I was in 2014, contrary to popular belief,” Bumgarner told The Athletic recently. “I know that gets said a lot, ‘Oh, he’s not the same guy he used to be.’ That’s just wrong. Numbers are what they are right now, but let’s just wait to the end of the season, and we’ll check. Maybe they won’t be there and maybe they will.
“All I know is, the last two years, the stuff was a little different rushing back from two injuries. Now? How I feel is the same. My stuff is the same.”
According to Fox Sports, eight teams are on Bumgarner's "no-trade" list: the Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, Astros, Brewers, Phillies and Cardinals. That doesn't necessarily mean he does not want to play for those teams, but he would have to approve a trade to one of those destinations.
Bumgarner, who will earn $12 million in 2019, is a free agent after this season.