We are still a month or so away from trade season but it appears that some teams and players are getting ready for potential moves. San Francisco Giants hurler Madison Bumgarner will be a free agent at the end of the season, and with the Giants going nowhere, could be a potential trade target for a contender looking to make a push for the postseason.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that Bumgarner has assembled a no-trade list of eight teams that includes nothing but contenders. The list includes NL East rivals Braves and Phillies.
Madison Bumgarner’s eight-team no-trade list, per sources:#Braves#RedSox#Cubs#Astros#Brewers#Yankees#Phillies#STLCards
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2025
Bumgarner chose teams strategically; list comprised solely of contenders that might want to acquire him from #SFGiants, not teams he wants to avoid.
As Rosenthal points out, the situation isn’t exactly what it seems. Bumgarner chose the teams strategically — these are not teams that he necessarily wants to avoid being dealt to. Rather, players often include contenders on their no-trade list to gain leverage if a trade agreement is reached.
That said, #SFGiants’ Bumgarner should be motivated to approve a trade: Any potential free agent traded in middle of season is ineligible for qualifying offer and exempt from draft-pick comp. List, however, gives him measure of control - if, say, he prefers #Braves to #Phillies.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2025
For example, if the Braves reached a deal with the Giants for Bumgarner then they would have an exclusive window to try and get him to approve a deal where they might work out some sort of compensation in exchange for him waiving his no-trade protection. His no-trade list also protects him if he’d rather accept a deal to one team more so than another. It is all about giving him some measure of control.
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, 2025
In the meantime, get ready for Bumgarner rumors to start to ramp up.
Loading comments...