Arziona’s Mad-Bum says 2nd act can be as memorable as 1st
PHOENIX >> The first act of Madison Bumgarner’s baseball career consisted of 11 hugely successful seasons that included three World Series titles with the San Francisco Giants.
The 30-year-old lefthanded pitcher believes his second act in Arizona can be just as memorable.
The Diamondbacks finalized their $85 million, fiveyear contract with the 2014 World Series MVP on Tuesday, announcing the deal and introducing their newest ace at Chase Field.
“First and foremost, winning is what the whole decision was based on,” Bumgarner said. “Being with a team, that in my mind, plays my brand of baseball. Plays the way I like to play.”
Bumgarner’s deal pays $6 million next year, $19 million in 2021, $23 million in both 2022 and 2023, and $14 million in 2024. Arizona will defer $5 million annually from
2021 to 2023, money paid in
$5 million installments each Nov. 1 from 2025-27. He gets a hotel suite on the road, the right to block trades to five teams and four premium seats at all games.
Bumgarner said Arizona was his “No. 1 place” when he talked with his agent about potential new destinations and said he “definitely left some money on the table” to come to the Diamondbacks. The North Carolina native said he’s always enjoyed Arizona during spring training when he was with the Giants, and would usually rent a place in the Phoenix area where he could bring his family.
Now he’s looking forward to it being his second home.
The move was announced two days after the sides reached an agreement pending a successful physical. It’s a marquee addition for GM Mike Hazen, who adds the lefty to a rotation that also could include Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, Mike Leake, Merrill Kelly or Alex Young.
Hazen said the team didn’t start the offseason targeting Bumgarner, but it became an obvious fit.
“His presence, his leadership, certainly his track record,” Hazen said. “All the things we’ve watched from across the field with the success he’s had with the San Francisco Giants, we felt this was a big add for us.”