Yankees, Braves and Red Sox Reportedly Scouting Madison Bumgarner's Tuesday Night Start
By Sean Facey
The San Francisco Giants' recent stretch of phenomenal baseball hasn't scared off the league's top suitors looking for pitching help.
The Yankees, Red Sox and Braves, all of whom are on Madison Bumgarner's no-trade list, have scouts in attendance for what could be his final start in a Giants uniform at Oracle Park on Tuesday.
The Yankees, #RedSox and Atlanta #Braves are all on Madison Bumgarner's no-trade list. All three are represented tonight to see potentially Bumgarner's last start at Oracle Park for the #SFGiants
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 24, 2019
It's also possible that the three teams are scouting San Francisco's bullpen as well. Each of the three could certainly use some help from the likes of Will Smith, Tony Watson or Sam Dyson. All three have posted an sub-3.00 ERA this year.
Bumgarner and the Giants have been on an incredible run as of late. The team has potentially played itself into contention after winning 16 of their last 19 games. Bumgarner in particular has been on a different level. During that stretch, he's made four starts, pitching to the tune of a 1.17 ERA in 23 innings of work.
If he does get dealt to one of the three teams scouting him Tuesday night, though, he'd have the ability to veto it. But a trade has to happen first.
About Madison Bumgarner's no-trade clause: He can block deals to eight teams, but if he's dealt, it would help his free agency leverage in the offseason, because he'd no longer be tied to draft-pick compensation.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 24, 2019
He'd be well worth it. Bumgarner now owns a 3.65 ERA and a 3.70 FIP on the year and has struck out 127 batters. He would no doubt be a quality addition for any team looking for pitching help.
Things have been quiet on the trade front, but how Bumgarner pitches Tuesday could potentially kick things into high gear.
All it takes is for the first domino to fall. After that, teams will start making moves and giving us the deadline fireworks that we've all been anticipating.