3 radical solutions to the St. Louis Cardinals brutal slump
By Mark Powell
Cardinals solution: Bring in a veteran pitcher
Let’s be honest — a trade at this point in the season is unlikely. So, one look at the waiver market shows a former World Series winner and Cy Young candidates is available.
Just a week ago, Madison Bumgarner was jawing with Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras during a plate appearance. Could he now be throwing to the Cards catcher?
Bumgarner is not the same pitcher he once was. Arizona was never a great fit for him, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged that just a few short days ago.
“I’ve had some tough conversations, but this was definitely up there,” Lovullo said. “I had what I feel like was a very strong relationship with Bum and that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
General manager Mike Hazen wanted to give Bumgarner, who had an ERA over 10 after his final Arizona start, a fresh start.
“We talked a little bit about it,” Hazen said. “We didn’t know if that was going to be the best fit for either of us. And I think it would have been the easier, safer path to keep from doing this. But in the end, we kind of felt like that’s what we would be doing it.”
In St. Louis, Bumgarner would get that fresh start and (ideally) receive the chance to pitch for a winning organization come October. The Cardinals are desperate for pitching help, and if MadBum can find some of that October magic, he’d be the perfect addition.