MLB rumors: 5 players the Minnesota Twins need to trade for

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 06: Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) reacts on the mound after giving up a 2-run single to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on May 6, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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2. Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants

As the Giants fade into becoming deadline sellers, Madison Bumgarner stands as their top trade chip. He’s set to become a free agent after the season, and his reputation as a workhorse and postseason stalwart precedes him.

After two injury-shortened seasons — albeit with fairly random injuries — Bumgarner has been healthy all season to this point. Peripherals (3.56 FIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.6 BB/9) show he deserves better than a 4.21 ERA. Over his last seven starts (43 innings) he has a 48:7 K/BB ratio with more than seven strikeouts and two or fewer walks five times. In his 10 starts, he has gone at least six innings nine times.

If only for his own leverage in dictating where he goes, Bumgarner has given the Giants an eight-team no-trade list. But that list notably does not include the Twins, if they want to make a big move and slot Bumgarner into the rotation as a co-ace alongside Jose Berrios, Baumgarner should be amenable.

Hypothetical Trade:

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