The Arizona Diamondbacks and free-agent pitcher Madison Bumgarner reportedly reached agreement Sunday on a five-year deal to bring the southpaw to the desert.
The news, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, brings one of the most accomplished postseason pitchers in history to an organization with playoff aspirations in 2020. The five-year deal is worth $85 million, with $15 million deferred until after the contract, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Bumgarner posted a 3.90 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 203 strikeouts across 207 2/3 innings with the San Francisco Giants this past season. It marked his seventh season with 200-plus innings since he made his MLB debut with San Francisco in 2009.
While Bumgarner, 30, saw a drop in production from the 2018 season, in which he recorded a 3.26 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 129 2/3 innings, he also increased his average fastball velocity for the first time in two years and lowered his walk rate.
Bumgarner’s outstanding postseason track record is another reason he became a target for Arizona. Across 16 playoff games and 102 1/3 innings, Bumgarner has a 2.11 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and eight victories, with the iconic five-inning save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.
Bumgarner drew a lot of attention from NL West teams. In addition to San Francisco, the All-Star pitcher received interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Ultimately, he found the right deal in Arizona and will get to compete against his former team and the other suitors.
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