Over the course of the season, the Yankees were linked with Dallas Keuchel with what seemed almost every day.
On June 6th, Keuchel signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, and now the Yankees need to find another suitor to assist in their push for a 28th World Series title.
In the last couple of weeks, the Yankees have been rumored to have been connected with the San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman. Both of these pitchers would bolster the Yankees’ rotation, as it has been depleted by injuries all season, but it is now just a matter of who they should trade for.
Madison Bumgarner is the ideal candidate for a trade the Yankees should make. The left-hander from San Francisco has proved himself year after year to be a force in both the regular season and the playoffs. Bumgarner is having a bit of an off year so far, as he has a 3-6 record so far, posting a 3.83 ERA a 1.611 WHIP, a .256 BAA and striking out 84 batters, while also giving up 13 home runs in 87 innings pitched.
Marcus Stroman has not had the best of starts so far this season. The Blue Jays’ right-hander has a 4-8 record thus far, posting a 3.18 ERA, a 1.312 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, a .255 BAA and has given up 7 home runs and 87 hits over 87.2 innings. Although he has not had the greatest start, there is still a great deal of time left in the season for Stroman to improve.
The two pitchers would be great fits to help the Yankees’ rotation, but it is quite obvious who the Yankees should trade for if they want to make a World Series push, and that pitcher is Madison Bumgarner.
Not only should the Yankees trade for him, but when Ken Rosenthal reported his eight team no-trade list, it was full of contenders, and the Yankees were one of those teams on that list.
Madison Bumgarner’s eight-team no-trade list, per sources:#Braves#RedSox#Cubs#Astros#Brewers#Yankees#Phillies#STLCards
Bumgarner chose teams strategically; list comprised solely of contenders that might want to acquire him from #SFGiants, not teams he wants to avoid.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2019
Bumgarner was a huge part of the San Francisco Giants’ “Even Year” dynasty, when they won three World Series titles from 2010-2014, the titles coming in 2010, 2012, and 2014. In 2014, MadBum was both the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP. Not only this, but his postseason numbers are simply remarkable. His career postseason numbers are 16 games started, 8-3 record, 2.11 ERA, 87 strikeouts, and an 0.90 WHIP in 102.1 innings pitched.
Once Bumgarner hits the World Series though, he becomes a whole different animal. in five games started, Bumgarner is 4-0 with a 0.25 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and a 0.52 WHIP in 36 innings pitched. MadBum is absolutely dominant in baseball’s Fall Classic.
The Yankees should go for one of these two pitchers, as no matter who it is, they will bolster the Yankees’ rotation. To get Bumgarner, the Yankees will have to give up more than they would for Stroman, but it will be very much worth it to acquire Bumgarner for their chase for 28.
Featured Image: Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Sports
