Article: What Version of Madison Bumgarner Would the Twins Be Getting?

[ahart10]

Verlander didn’t play to his potential with the Tigers when they were struggling. Some guys get used to playing meaningful games for contenders and need that extra motivation.

[jorgenswest]

Verlander didn’t play to his potential with the Tigers when they were struggling. Some guys get used to playing meaningful games for contenders and need that extra motivation.

I agree and add...

 

It helps to pitch with a lead. It helps to pitch in front of a better defense. I wouldn’t want to face Bumgarner in the playoffs.

[Jham]

Why are they comparable? They're both left handed? Here's a comparison with Justin Verlander, who also was a work horse with tons of mileage on his arm.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml

I mean I wasn't the one saying he's "only 29". But when you debut young as a phenom arm, sustain a high level of regular season and post season success, there's just not a ton of comps... Bumgarner's showing signs of wear, perhaps. That's what reminds me of Zito. (team probably brings it to mind as well). Lincecum comes to mind for the same reasons. The drop off can come at 29 was my point.

 

That said, I think your underlying point is that the evidence isn't suggesting a precipitous fall or an otherwise aging pitcher. And I would agree.

[SomeGuy]

I do like his strategy of screaming profanities at the players that hit homeruns off him.

[TFRazor]

If we're getting Bumgarner might as well see if Will Smith is available too. I'd do that trade

[TFRazor]

 

I do like his strategy of screaming profanities at the players that hit homeruns off him.

I mean if it's yasiel puig I don't blame him for yelling

Edited June 19, 2019 by TFRazor

[Minfidel]

 

On paper he may not seem like an upgrade over Gibson and Pineda, but the games aren't played on paper. He has the post-season experience and obviously still the drive and fire; however, playing on a mediocre team has hurt his value. Getting a pitcher of his stature would enable Perez to give us another lefty in the bullpen. I wouldn't overspend on him and would like an extension of a couple years, but he would be a good start (good RPs would be an even better start) to improve our pitching. We have the prospects. Don't panic and make bad trades, but we do have to improve our pen.

Playoff experience is a plus - and if the Twins get to the World Series, you pitch him in the NL park and let him hit. 

[notoriousgod71]

 

Since the start of 2017, Bumgarner has basically been a 3rd or 4th starter who has missed a number of games due to injuries. Factor in he's a rental and there is no way I'd pay a significant price to acquire him. If the Twins can get him with a package of mid range prospects they should go for it. If it costs a top prospect they should pass.

 

Since the start of 2017, Bumgarner has basically been a 3rd or 4th starter who has missed a number of games due to injuries. Factor in he's a rental and there is no way I'd pay a significant price to acquire him. If the Twins can get him with a package of mid range prospects they should go for it. If it costs a top prospect they should pass.

 

In what world is Bumgarner a 3 or 4? His ERAs the last three seasons are 3.32, 3.26, and 3.87.

 

Even his FIPs are below 4.00.

[notoriousgod71]

 

I do like his strategy of screaming profanities at the players that hit homeruns off him.

 

My dream is for his first start to be against the White Sox and give up a home run to Tim Anderson and then let him get three more starts against Chicago.

[Aerodeliria]

 

On paper he may not seem like an upgrade over Gibson and Pineda, but the games aren't played on paper. He has the post-season experience and obviously still the drive and fire; however, playing on a mediocre team has hurt his value. Getting a pitcher of his stature would enable Perez to give us another lefty in the bullpen. I wouldn't overspend on him and would like an extension of a couple years, but he would be a good start (good RPs would be an even better start) to improve our pitching. We have the prospects. Don't panic and make bad trades, but we do have to improve our pen.

This is a very prescient thought. I wholeheartedly agree that there is a tendency to perform more poorly when you're playing with a poorer team. Silly, seemingly minor   mental mistakes suddenly become three-run innings--failing to get a double play, missing a sign, pressing to get an out and walking a guy instead, not paying attention to a runner, a pop fly that should have been caught, etc.

[Cast of Thousands]

I could see a scenario with MadBum, based on how Rocco has used "load management" with a big chunk of the roster already, where the Twins acquire Bum, use him almost like Pineda now, spacing out his starts when possible, more off days, and Bumgarner is rested and ready to roll for the postseason.

 

At the end of the day, if he labored through the season like a 3rd or 4th starter, but made it to the postseason and came up with 3-4 big wins on the way to the Twins in the WS and shows even flashes of what he's done in previous postseasons, he's worth giving up a to 5 prospect.

[brightside]

 

I wonder if Madbum couldn't be an effective reliever...

He was a few years back in the WS.

[brightside]

 

If we're getting Bumgarner might as well see if Will Smith is available too. I'd do that trade

Agreed. 2 birds with 1 Sano...

[BattleYourTailOff]

Whatever version we get he’s better than Kyle Gibson, Michael Pineda, Martin Perez, Devin Smeltzer,and he’s more accomplished/experienced against good hitting than Jose Berrios & Odorrizi. We desperately need him or an equivalent.

 

No more excuses about age, mileage, etc. do you want to roll into the playoffs with Perez or Nibbles as one of your starters? Eff no.

Edited June 20, 2019 by BattleYourTailOff

[SomeGuy]

The Bumgarner is so great in the playoffs statement seems out dated. He hasn't had a great playoff run since 2014. He's had 1 great game and one bad game in the playoffs since then (both in 2016). We have no idea how good Bumgarner would be in a 2019 playoff run. 

 

Felix Hernandez was great 5 years ago too. (drastic comparison but Bumgarner has fallen off a bit since then too, 5 years is a long time ago)