© Stan Szeto | 2017 Aug 20
You knew it wasn’t going to be long. After an offseason chock full of Madison Bumgarner trade rumors, things have been quiet during the first two weeks of the regular season. That ended on Friday, when Jon Morosi of MLB Network said that the Phillies are already doing their “due diligence” when it comes to making an offer for the big left-hander.
Will the Giants trade Madison Bumgarner this season? @jonmorosi gives us insight on this possibility and where he might be traded to. pic.twitter.com/zO9YofeCOy
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 12, 2019
“I believe they will,” Morosi said in regards to the Giants trading Bumgarner this season. “And certainly the relief pitchers, I would say the likes of (Sam) Dyson, (Tony) Watson. They’re going to be moved without much trouble, but Bumgarner is going to be a difficult emotional decision I think for the Giants, but it’s the right decision to trade Madison Bumgarner.
“There were a lot of conversations during the course of the offseason. The Phillies were one team that I was told already has been doing due diligence, has been looking at his starts, maybe even looking at him during spring training to make sure they have all their information current.”
Morosi has reported Phillies interest in Bumgarner since the offseason. Philadelphia has been incredibly aggressive in pursuing All-Star caliber talent in 2019, signing Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, David Robertson, and J. T. Realmuto this offseason.
“The Phillies of course, they were able to make aggressive moves in the winter time as we well know to bring in three All-Star position players, but they’ve got that one need: a lefty starter. And if you are going to go all in on one year to make a World Series run, who better to get than Madison Bumgarner.”
Though he’s yet to record a win, Bumgarner has been stellar in his first three starts of 2019, with a 3.32 ERA and 0.947 WHIP in 19 innings.