MLB trade rumors: Will Giants deal Madison Bumgarner after he returns from DL? Why Yankees, Red Sox might be interested

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has recovered from a broken bone in his left (pitching) hand and is set to make his 2018 season debut next week. Would the Giants consider trading him before the non-waiver deadline on July 31, 2018 (7/31/18)?

San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is set to make his 2018 debut next week, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

Bumgarner, 28, has missed all of the season so far with a broken bone in his left (pitching) hand. He went down while fielding a comebacker in spring training.

He will return to a Giants team that is underperforming: 25-30, good for fourth place in the NL West. 

That, despite the offseason additions of Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen.

Having both Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto (elbow) out of the rotation is without a doubt one reason for the Giants’ struggles. Making matters worse, right-hander Jeff Samardzija left his start Tuesday with a sore right shoulder. But the return of these top-of-the-line starters doesn’t necessarily guarantee success down the road.

In fact, the Giants might be forced to make a vey tough decision, and soon. Would they actually trade the three-time World Series winning ace?

According to Spotrac.com, Bumgarner is under contract this year for $12 million, with a club option for $12 million in 2019. Bumgarner is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2019 season.

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Bumgarner would enter free agency at the prime age of 30 years old, with an incredible post-season resume: he was the 2014 NLCS and World Series MVPs. In 16 career playoff appearances, he has a 2.11 ERA. In five career World Series games, he’s 4-0 with one save and a 0.25 ERA.

Given his success in big games, Bumgarner could be looking at a big payday. Having already won three rings in San Francisco, it can’t be assumed the Giants would give him the money he might seek.

Simply put, he could be the best pitcher on the free agent market, putting him in line for a nine-figure contract with several worthy suitors ready and willing to open their wallets.

Now, that’s not until after the 2019 season.

However if the Giants’ 2018 season continues to go south, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that San Francisco tries to move him now.

Which means pitching-hungry teams with deep farm systems, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, could make a pitch for the southpaw before the non-waiver trade deadline, in an attempt to match up with the Houston Astros’ rotation.

A pitcher like Bumgarner could easily swing the balance in any pennant race. Which means all eyes will be on Bumgarner when he makes his 2018 debut Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.