Atlanta Braves: Madison Bumgarner is a Perfect Trade Target

The Atlanta Braves will be buyers during the upcoming trade deadline if they continue to hover around .500 and in the division race. One potential target could be starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner.

At first glance Madison Bumgarner is a perfect fit for the Atlanta Braves. He perfectly completes what is a young and questionable rotation and gives the team postseason experience. He is from Braves country and would give Atlanta better postseason chances.

Bumgarner does have control of where he lands, however, and is going to leverage that fact as much as he can. Whether it is securing more money or blocking trade altogether the Braves would have to sell their postseason chances and facilities to Bumgarner as much as they would their trade package to the Giants.

It seems likely the Brave would deal one of their young arms for Bumgarner and avoid trading any of their prized position players.

The biggest question for the Braves in this scenario would be are they willing to pay Bumgarner long term?  There are very few starting pitching options on the trade market and none with Bumgarner’s experience and pedigree.

He should be the Braves sole target when it comes to starting pitchers. Starting pitching isn’t the only need for a team who is being carried by their offense. The bullpen needs late inning options and a reliable middle innings reliever.

Essentially the only thing the Braves bullpen does have is mop up pitchers who are being forced to pitch high leverage situations. The Braves could opt to make a deal to provide starting time for Austin Riley as well.

Riley has been on a tear in Triple A and is starting in the outfield and at third base. Moving at least one player to provide a roster spot for Riley wouldn’t be surprising considering his power and ability to drive in runs.  More to come as the trade deadline nears.