Now that Bruce Bochy has retired as the manager of the San Francisco Giants, one of the best starting pitchers in Giants franchise history has decided to leave as well. On Tuesday, Madison Bumgarner of Hickory, North Carolina signed a five-year contract worth $85 million with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to the Associated Press.
In 2019, Bumgarner had a record of nine wins and nine losses with the Giants and an earned run average of 3.90. He pitched 207 2/3 innings and gave up 191 hits, 90 earned runs and 43 walks. Bumgarner also had 203 strikeouts and had a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.13.
However, the statistic that stands out the most for Bumgarner is the fact that he had 34 starts, which was the most in Major League Baseball. At 30 years of age, it should come as no surprise that the Diamondbacks gave Bumgarner a five-year contract due to his strong durability.
Over his career, Bumgarner has been a four-time all-star, but it is in the playoffs where he has showcased his skills the most. He has a record of eight wins and three losses in 16 postseason games, with a marvelous earned run average of 2.11. Bumgarner has also won three World Series with the Giants (2010, 2012 and 2014), was the 2014 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player and was the 2014 World Series Most Valuable Player.
The Diamondbacks were in need of an ace to lead the starting rotation after they traded Zack Greinke to the Houston Astros for four minor league prospects at the 2019 Major League Baseball trade deadline. What might also be a hard pill for Diamondbacks fans to swallow is the fact that they are paying the Astros $24 million of Greinke’s remaining salary.
