Phillies

Report Says Phillies on Bumgarner’s No-Trade List, But Does It Matter?

By Bob Wankel

Published: May 11th, 2019 · 1:36 PM EDT

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Madison Bumgarner might be shipped sometime before this July’s trade deadline, but if he is, he will have a say in where he’s headed. His no-trade list, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:

Madison Bumgarner’s eight-team no-trade list, per sources:#Braves#RedSox#Cubs#Astros#Brewers#Yankees#Phillies#STLCards

Bumgarner chose teams strategically; list comprised solely of contenders that might want to acquire him from #SFGiants, not teams he wants to avoid.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2019

Typically, no-trade lists include scrub teams that players want to avoid, but as you probably noticed, Bumgarner’s list is comprised of what would exclusively seem to be playoff-caliber squads. Among them is the Phillies. But why? After all, wouldn’t he want to go to a contender?

Of course he would, which is why this list actually makes a lot of sense.

Essentially, by creating a list made up of contenders, Bumgarner now has the ability to create more control over his eventual landing spot. For instance, let’s say the Cubs and Phillies both emerge with the strongest offers for Bumgarner, by including both teams on the list, he will have the ability to waive one of the teams, thus giving himself more control of the outcome. Of course, San Francisco could deal him to a team not on the no-trade list, but it would be somewhat of a surprise if the Giants did that to a franchise icon. There’s also this:

More context on Bumgarner: His contract allows him to reject trades to eight teams. The eight I reported are the ones he can block. He can still approve trades to those teams, but generally players want some form of compensation to waive their no-trade protection.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2019

Money and the ability to get more of it.  The Phillies’ level of interest in Bumgarner remains unknown, but he obviously makes some sense given his postseason experience and that he throws a baseball with his left-hand, a physical attribute currently missing from their rotation. The 29-year-old left-hander has been solid this year over eight starts, pitching to a 3.99 ERA, 3.50 FIP, and 1.15 WHIP. Bumgarner’s current 51/8 K/BB ratio is the best of his career, and with the rebuilding Giants sitting in last place in the NL West with his deal set to expire after the season, it sure looks like he’s playing out his final weeks with the team. Stay tuned.