Braves Reportedly Still Chasing Madison Bumgarner Despite Cole Hamels Signing
The Atlanta Braves are desperate for any postseason success after failing to advance beyond the NLDS once again. The team has not done so since 2001 despite seven division titles since then.
One move to help the cause in 2020 was the signing of Cole Hamels to a one-year deal for $18 million. The next is to reportedly sign another player with plenty of postseason experience and success.
Braves still appear to be interested in Madison Bumgarner. They’ve been seen as a logical spot all along, tho some wondered if the Hamels deal might take them out. No sense it has. Also linked to MadBum: STLCards, Reds, Dbacks, Angels, Twins, Yankees (likely as fallback to Cole).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2019
General manager Alex Anthopoulos isn't done yet!
The Braves have Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Ronald Acuña Jr. all making team-friendly money in 2020. Freddie Freeman is making over $22 million per year between 2020-2021 and Mark Melancon is on the books for $19 million in 2020.
Some big money coming off the books by 2021 allows the Braves to give Bumgarner a deal in the Zack Wheeler range of five years and over $100 million.
Hamels taking physical today. Per source, #Braves’ decision to sign him doesn’t take them out of Bumgarner, but reflects market for him and others might exceed their comfort level. ATL signed Hamels for $18M, right around qualifying offer. Can give him actual QO at end of season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2019
Bumgarner has not been an All-Star since 2016, but did finally pitch a full season once again in 2019. His 3.90 ERA in 34 starts, along with 203 strikeouts, was a return to his old ways after missing time in both 2017 and 2018.
If Atlanta wants to actually advance in the postseason, big moves need to keep being made. Signing Bumgarner addresses a need and also fills the seats in that nice new stadium.