December 10th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka With 2019 World Series MVP free agent right-hander Stephen Strasburg now off the table at the 2019 MLB Winter Meetings, having signed an all-time MLB record seven-year / $245 million contract to return to the Washington Nationals on Monday evening, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman must now look at other potential starting pitching options; especially with the likelihood that this winter’s most coveted free agent pitcher – right-hander Gerrit Cole – will command a contract even bigger than Strasburg’s.
What might those options be for the Dodgers executive?
What if I were to tell you that there is a 30-year-old free agent left-hander available with an 11-year MLB career record of 119-92 and a career ERA of 3.13, with 1,794 career strikeouts and only 428 career walks for an excellent career K/BB ratio of 4.19 and a K/9 mark of 8.8?
As a basis of comparison, 31-year-old Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw has a 12-year MLB record of 169-74, a career ERA of 3.03, 2,464 career strikeouts, 577 career walks, a career K/BB ratio of 4.27 and a K/9 mark of 9.7.
Rather similar career numbers, wouldn’t you say? The difference, and it is a significant one, is that the first left-hander owns three World Series rings and Kershaw owns none.
Yes, I am referring to known Dodger-hater – and Dodger fan-hatee – Madison Bumgarner.
With the ludicrous contract given to Strasburg on Monday, and with an even more ludicrous contract expected to be given to Gerrit Cole within the next day or two, it was being widely reported on Monday that MadBum expects to get a multi-year/nine-figure contract as well … and he probably will.
The burning question is: Will it be from Andrew Friedman?
Stay tuned…
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I am very interested in knowing what will happen to Mad Bum.
Was it the Nats or the Yankees that signed him?
Yikes! Fixed. Don’t know how I screwed that one up … other than it has absolutely been the worst week of my life.
Thank you, AOBF.
Based on 2019 season stats, there is a better LH’er available who will not cost as much as Mad Bum; a superior ERA, ground ball rate, runners left on base, WAR better by 1.6, and a great guy in the clubhouse — Hyun-Jin Ryu. I would much rather have Ryu.
Would really like to see the Dodgers resign Ryu.
Yes, and that said pitcher named Ryu won that ERA title in 2019 too. At this point we can figure Cole is way out of the question because only the Yankees or Angels will get near what Cole will eventually sign for. I say get Rendon signed and Ryu signed and since Dodgers have the depth to use in a trade they can acquire a BP arm that way or even another SP but not sure much if anything will happen by Thursday, but WSS.
Hear! Hear! Ryu signing would make a lot of other choices easier including passing on a huge contract to Gerrit Cole. In fact, resigning Ryu, resigning Mountain (on a short contract) and trading Joc plus Kike to Cleveland for Kluber sounds like most of a good off season.
MB has always been a class act. Would want him on my team whatever the sport.
Those of us old enough to remember Sal Maggie coming from the
Giants to Dodgers in 1950s makes the case for MB
It’s Sal Magli, – known as “the Barber” (for the close shaves he gave Dodgers hitters)….for those younger readers that may be checking Google.
I’d have no problem signing MadBum IF he had the stuff he once had. He doesn’t so why give him $100 million? We already have a former Ace that doesn’t have the stuff he once had earring $100 million, Kershaw.
Much as I’d like to have Ryu back I think he’s a real roll of the dice health-wise. For some reason I love the idea of having Hill back in a relief role since it’s unlikely he could build up enough to use as a starter even if for the last half of the season.
Sorry for the typo. It’s Sal Maglie. Spellcheck was the villain here.
I agree with Dan that I wouldn’t pay MadBum $100 million. My comment was intended to indicate that he’s the type of competitive player that you want on your team.
Hill is a competitor also, but he has health issues and his curveball is too erratic to be a short reliever. Don’t think that Hill would accept or should the Dodgers pay him millions for a problematic role..
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Sorry for the typo. It’s Sal Maglie. Spellcheck was the villain here.
I agree with Dan that I wouldn’t pay MadBum $100 million. My comment was intended to indicate that he’s the type of competitive player that you want on your team.
Hill is a competitor also, but he has health issues and his curveball is too erratic to be a short reliever. Don’t think that Hill would accept or should the Dodgers pay him millions for a problematic role..
I’d like to see us swing a deal for Clevinger. What would it take? Maybe a couple pitchers going back to Cleveland, like Maeda and Stripling? Maybe they also need an outfielder like Joc? Or do a salary swap by including Lindor and giving Seager, Pollock and a utility guy like either Taylor or Kike? Add in a backup catcher like Barnes and use Rocky Gale as our backup until Ruiz is ready? Sprinkle in some prospects like one from A one from AA. Or add in Brad Hand and give them DJ Peter’s and Mitchell White or Santana. There’s lots of possibilities and Cleveland and LA seem like obvious trade partners. What are the odds these two teams are working on this? IMHO they are pretty high.
“What if I were to tell you that there is a 30-year-old free agent left-hander available with an 11-year MLB career record of 119-92 and a career ERA of 3.13, with 1,794 career strikeouts and only 428 career walks for an excellent career K/BB ratio of 4.19 and a K/9 mark of 8.8?”
I’d say the Dodgers should check it out! What would he cost?
I’ve never liked the Snot Rocket, but if he could put the Dodgers over the top, I’m all for it at a “reasonable” cost. No bad contracts!