Report: Three division leaders interested in trading for Madison Bumgarner

Madison Bumgarner is having a down year after dominating the National League for the better part of the last decade, but there appears to be plenty of interest in the left-hander with the trade deadline just a few weeks away.

While there has been talk about teams not wanting to give up a big haul for Bumgarner, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Monday that three division-leading teams — the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves — are among the teams keeping an eye on the Bumgarner situation. The Milwaukee Brewers, who are just a half-game out of first in the NFL central, could also be in the mix.

Bumgarner has a no-trade list that includes eight teams, and the Astros, Braves and Brewers are three of them. However, Rosenthal notes that he might be motivated to approve a deal, as he will be ineligible for a qualifying offer when he becomes a free agent next year if traded. That means any team that signed him would not have to give up a draft pick as compensation, which would improve his market.

It’s no coincidence that contending teams are interested in Bumgarner, as he is one of the best postseason pitchers in MLB history. Even if he is 5-7 with a 4.03 ERA this season, Bumgarner is just 29 and appears to be healthy. He took a line drive off the elbow over the weekend, but he did not suffer a significant injury.

If the last-place Giants commit to moving Bumgarner, they should have no problem finding a suitor. Teams will likely downplay their interest as much as possible, but he still has plenty of value due to his postseason track record.