It has been proven over and over again over the past three seasons that Madison Bumgarner has no business being in the Diamondbacks starting rotation. However, now, for the first time since 2018, the D-backs are a legitimate threat to make a run for the playoffs.
Meaning, they can no longer afford the damage Madison Bumgarner has brought to the starting rotation.
This is no longer a Diamondbacks team that is in the midst of a massive rebuild. Instead, it is a competitive young team full of talent that is showing others across the league that they mean business, except for Bumgarner.
Bumgarner’s four starts this season have all been atrocious, and three of them have resulted in team losses. He has yet to make it past the fifth inning and has posted an ERA of 10.26 so far.
This is not to discredit what Bumgarner has done throughout his Hall of Fame career; however, it is say that it is beyond time for the three-time World Series champion to finally hang up his cleats. These recent numbers are not only damaging his legacy, but they are also damaging the Diamondbacks’ chances of success this season.
Arizona holds a roster that is too talented to have one man anchoring it down because he refuses to call it a career.
With the emergence of Drey Jameson, the Diamondbacks will have wiggle room to cut a man out of the rotation once Zach Davies returns from injury midway through May.
It is past due, but better late than never to remove Bumgarner from the rotation.
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