Report: Dodgers shift focus to MadBum after Cole's signing
The Los Angeles Dodgers are shifting focus on the free-agent front to veteran southpaw Madison Bumgarner, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The Dodgers were among the three most aggressive suitors for Gerrit Cole before he signed a nine-year, $324-million contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Bumgarner, 30, has spent 11 seasons with the San Francisco Giants, debuting with the club as a 19-year-old in 2009. A four-time All-Star, Bumgarner has been a top-10 finalist for the NL Cy Young award on four occasions.
His biggest claim to fame may be his emergence as a postseason powerhouse, especially in 2014. As the Giants won their third championship of the decade, Bumgarner took home NLCS and World Series MVP honors. He finished off Game 7 against the Kansas City Royals by tossing five scoreless innings in relief to earn the first, and only, save of his career.
If he does go to the Dodgers, it will be an interesting fit considering the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs. Just this past summer, Bumgarner got into it with Dodgers infielder Max Muncy after the slugger admired a home run he hit off the lefty. Muncy snapped back, telling Bumgarner to "go get it out of the ocean."