Bumgarner becomes free agent; what’s next for him, Giants?
For the first time since he signed his contract out of high school in 2007, Madison Bumgarner is no longer officially with the San Francisco Giants.
One of the greatest pitchers in franchise history became a free agent, along with 130 others, Thursday morning with the World Series over. Players used to have to file for free agency. Now, it is automatic.
Closer Will Smith, catcher Stephen Vogt and third baseman Pablo Sandoval are free agents as well.
The Giants’ focus in October was interviewing managerial candidates. That process is winding down. They also are looking for a general manager and have done so stealthily.
Now, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi must turn his attention to player decisions.
Here is what happens next:
The Giants have five days to negotiate freeagent contracts exclusively with Bumgarner, Smith, Sandoval and Vogt. Agents for those players are free to gauge interest from other clubs but they are not allowed to talk money and years.
Within these five days, reliever Tony Watson must accept or reject his option for 2020 that would pay him $7.5 million in base salary and incentives. If he rejects it, he becomes a free agent, too.
Sandoval became a free agent when the Red Sox formally rejected his $19 million 2020 option and paid him a $5 million buyout, finally removing his fiveyear, $95 million contract from their books. Boston did not make a formal announcement on Sandoval, but the union would not have listed him as a free agent had the Red Sox not declined the option.
On Tuesday, after the fiveday exclusivity window closes, the Giants can tender their free agents oneyear qualifying offers that run just under $18 million. Bumgarner will get one. Smith likely will, too.
Almost all players reject qualifying offers. They have 10 days to decide. By offering them, the Giants gain draftpick compensation if those players sign elsewhere. If another team signs Bumgarner, the Giants will get a comp after the second round of the draft.
Also by Tuesday, the Giants must place all of their 60day injuredlist players back on their 40man roster. That includes pitchers Trevor Gott and Reyes Moronta, infielder Zach Green and outfielder Steven Duggar.
The Giants will have 40man spots for them with Bumgarner, Smith, Vogt and ultimately Sandoval removed through their free agency.
On Nov. 11, trade and freeagency negotiations begin in earnest as generalmanager meetings start in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nov. 20 is a huge day for roster construction, the deadline for teams to add eligible prospects to their 40man roster. That’s when we learn which top minorleaguers clubs do not want to expose to December’s Rule 5 draft. When these prospects go on the 40man, existing players have to come off to make room. That usually brings a few surprises.
Dec. 2 is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to all players still under their control. Thus, the Giants must decide whether to keep arbitrationeligible Kevin Pillar, Donovan Solano, Alex Dickerson, Joey Rickard and Wandy Peralta. Those not tendered contracts become free agents. Those who are tendered are considered signed for 2020, with only the salary to be negotiated.
A week later, on Dec. 9, the winter meetings begin in San Diego. If the past two years are an indication, there will be much talk but little action as free agency drags into January.