(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
On Thursday, the world of baseball was hit with some shocking news when it was revealed that the Arizona Diamondbacks had designated left-hander and three-time World Series champion Madison Bumgarner for assignment.
The veteran ace had joined the Diamondbacks after the 2019 season, signing a five-year, $85 million contract with the team.
However, since his arrival in Arizona, Bumgarner has been a shell of his former self, posting a 5.23 ERA.
What’s next for Bumgarner is not certain at the moment.
After the D-Backs made their decision to designate Bumgarner for assignment, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic appeared on the show “Foul Territory” to discuss the left-hander’s future.
What’s next for Madison Bumgarner? @Ken_Rosenthal breaks it down. #FTLive pic.twitter.com/d43Vex8VY5
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 20, 2023
Rosenthal first noted that if Bumgarner intends to keep pitching, his obvious choice would be to join the Texas Rangers and reunite with his former manager in Bruce Bochy.
However, Rosenthal pointed out that Bumgarner is not the same pitcher he once was.
The left-hander won three World Series rings with the San Francisco Giants while Bochy was their manager.
But at the time, Bumgarner was the ace of the Giants and was one of the premier pitchers in all of baseball.
Things have changed since then.
Rosenthal noted that it ultimately is a sad situation, not just for Bumgarner, but for fans of his, pointing out just how cruel the business aspect of baseball can be, and the fact that there comes a point where certain players don’t have what it takes to compete anymore.
However, counting out Bumgarner would be unwise, as pitchers such as Adam Wainwright have come back from tremendous struggles and returned to form.
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