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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Madison Bumgarner

By Joshua Sadlock

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 30: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 30: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 13, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 13, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

1. Washington Nationals

After a disastrous start, the Washington Nationals have pushed themselves right back into the playoff picture, and currently hold the National League’s top Wild Card. The Nats were 19-31 on May 23 and there were the quietest of whispers that they should consider dealing away ace Max Scherzer and MVP candidate Anthony Rendon and starting all over again. Instead of selling, the Nats should definitely look to buy at the deadline as they are 30-11 over their last 41 games.

Led by Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, the Nationals have one of the best rotations in the league. Scrap-heap pickup Anibal Sanchez has even stepped up to pitch to a 3.66 ERA in 16 starts. The fifth spot, however, has been a disaster. As the roster currently stands, the Nationals don’t really have a set option for their number-five starter, but Jeremy Hellickson, Erick Fedde and Austin Voth have all struggled when given a chance to start.

The bullpen appears to be the more pressing issue for the Nationals at the trade deadline (as it always is), but nailing down that final spot in the starting rotation could be just as important for keeping this team in its current position — or even making a run at the Atlanta Braves and the division title.

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The Nationals don’t really have enough minor-league talent to acquire an impact reliever, but they may be able to work a deal for Bumgarner if they find a way to sweeten the deal and pull off a trade. They are one of the few contenders with a need for starting pitching who are not on his no-trade list. The Nationals always seem to have excess cash to spend on their rotation, so perhaps they offer Bumgarner a few extra million to come on board for the final few months of the season.

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