The 11-8 Arizona Diamondbacks are leading the NL West with a two-game cushion as of Thursday afternoon.
Many experts and analysts had them as potential contenders for a playoff spot in 2023 if some specific things break right.
So far, they look competitive.
However, they weren’t going to go places with Madison Bumgarner in the rotation.
It may sound harsh, because he was a true workhorse during his days with the San Francisco Giants in the early and mid-2010s.
However, this version of Bumgarner gave the D-Backs a 5.23 ERA in parts of four seasons and a 10.26 ERA in four starts this year.
As a result, he has been designated for assignment.
Left-hander Madison Bumgarner has been designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will eat more than $34 million remaining on his contract, sources tell ESPN. Story, free and unlocked, at ESPN: https://t.co/zD5uLJNOUx
—Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 20, 2023
Fans, of course, reacted to the news.
Basically, fanbases are explaining reasons why they don’t want their teams to pursue him.
I would rather watch Tyler Alexander start games than Bumgarner
— Aiden (@AidenBrigugs) April 20, 2023
Bumgarner is toast! We need to let 2014 go too many 2014 all stars Rizzo Donald hicks DJL we just lost Chapman we gotta get young
—Brian Cashman Blows (@Jt202102) April 20, 2023
You can’t be serious. Bumgarner is awful.
—Objective Ollie (@ObjectiveOllie) April 20, 2023
If some people are surprised by the news that the D-Backs are moving on without the former postseason hero, it’s because of the money he is owed, not because of his performance.
The hurler is still owed roughly $34 million by the team.
That’s an expensive good bye for Bumgarner and the snakes… I guess Contreras got one more last laugh. #ArizonaBorn #STLCards
— Shaman Kong (@KingKongCarey20) April 20, 2023
He is “just” 33, but due to injuries and heavy usage in his twenties, his decline phase started earlier than expected.
Arizona is expected to go young to replace the left-hander, with Tommy Henry getting the first shot and uber-prospect Brandon Pfaadt ready to go if he falters.
Bumgarner’s name has a lot of value, and deservedly so, but he hadn’t given Arizona a reason to keep him in years.
NEXT:
Madison Bumgarner Experienced A Sharp Decline In Arizona
