Padres Taking 'Close Look' at Madison Bumgarner and Dallas Keuchel in Attempt to Compete in 2020
By Karl Rasmussen
The Padres' rebuild is coming to its end, and the team has its sights set on contending in the NL West in 2020. In order to do so, they're looking to bolster the starting rotation.
Jon Heyman reports that the Padres are taking a "close look" at southpaws Madison Bumgarner and Dallas Keuchel, who remain as two of the best starting pitchers on the open market.
Padres are taking close looks at Madison Bumgarner and Dallas Keuchel. There have been suggestions they probably won’t sign a huge free agent but they are building a team to win in 2020. With Machado and Tatis on left side, southpaws makes sense.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2019
The Padres are looking to add a lefty to their rotation, so naturally they're being linked with some of the best talent available.
Bumgarner may end up being out of their price range, considering he's slated to make over $100 million. He's also reported to have mutual interest with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reds are among teams with interest in Madison Bumgarner. Manager David Bell was in #SFGiants front office. Braves, Twins, Angels, Padres, Yankees and Phillies are other logical possibilities. @Feinsand says deal could come soon.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2019
Padres starters logged a 4.66 ERA in 2019, 18th in the MLB, so they're hoping to take a step in the right direction this year in terms of production from their rotation.
Both Bumgarner and Keuchel would represent immediate upgrades over almost every pitcher in the Padres' rotation, with the exception of Chris Paddack, who still lacks experience.
If the Padres can lock down either one of these left-handers, they'd stand a far better chance at contending in 2020.