The Arizona Diamondbacks are done with Madison Bumgarner. The three-time World Series champion was designated for assignment as Arizona will take on the remaining $34 million on his contract. The left-hander signed a five-year $85 million deal with the Diamondbacks before the 2020 season. Bumgarner has not lived up to expectations since, as he’s struggled during his tenure in the desert. He posted a 5.23 ERA over 70 starts with his worst outing to date yesterday. He allowed seven runs in three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. His ERA went up to 10.26 before being pulled.
Madison Bumgarner’s final line with the Diamondbacks: a 5.23 ERA over 69 starters on a five-year, $85 million deal. Once he clears waivers, he’ll be available for every team at the major league minimum of $720,000. First with the news of Bumgarner being DFA’d was @nickpiecoro.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 20, 2023
Diamondbacks Designate Mad Baum for Assignment
The 33-year-old will be owed $20.4 million for the remainder of the season then $14 million for the 2024 season. As soon as he clears waivers, it’s possible a trade won’t trade for him. By doing so, that team will have to eat the remainder of the money left on his contract. Then again, Bumgarner is eligible to sign with a team for the league minimum if no one acquires his services.
Madison Bumgarner has a 10.26 ERA this year, and 5.10 in parts of 4 years w/ AZ. I do wonder how much longer they’ll let him go on.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) April 19, 2023
Things did not go well for Bumgarner in 2023. He coughed up 20 runs, 19 earned, on 25 hits and 15 walks with 10 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings of work. The Diamondbacks went on to lose all three of Bumgarner’s four starts. His lone victory came when he went 4 2/3 innings with three runs and six walks against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It was clear three years ago that Arizona was high on Bumgarner. His numbers took a dive following his spectacular 2011-2016 run. At the time, he was a reliable starter who threw 200-plus innings on a consistent basis. In 2019, his 3.90 ERA was the worst of his career, until 2023 came along. Then again, Bumgarner has a legendary postseason career. The San Francisco Giants‘ early 2010’s dynasty saw Bumgarner toss 102 1/3 innings of 2.11 ERA baseball in October. His most memorable moment came in 2014 when he carried the Giants pitching staff by throwing 21 innings in the World Series himself.
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