Former SF Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner contemplating a midseason return to the mound

Could a former SF Giants lefty be considering a comeback? According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, former Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner is contemplating a return to the mound this summer.

Former SF Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner contemplating a midseason return to the mound

There has been very little information on Bumgarner since the Arizona Diamondbacks released the veteran pitcher at the start of the 2023 season. He originally signed a five-year, $85 million pact with Arizona before the 2020 season, but they decided to cut ties with nearly two full years remaining on that deal. Bumgarner is slated to earn $14 million from the Diamondbacks in 2024.

Of course, when that move was announced, the Giants were thought to be a potential landing spot given his longstanding ties with the organization. That never came to fruition and it seems like that ship has sailed.

Another potential landing spot was with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are managed by former Giants manager Bruce Bochy and it felt like a reunion between the two was in order. That did not end up happening, but Bumgarner had a hilarious proposal to Bochy ahead of Game 7 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros last year.

Bumgarner is well known among Giants fans for his role during the championship run. In fact, the 2014 World Series title does not happen without his postseason heroics. He allowed just six earned runs across 52.2 playoff innings that season. This included holding the Kansas City Royals to one earned run in 21 innings during the World Series.

The southpaw pitcher was a postseason stalwart even before 2014, but he forever etched his name in baseball history with the 2014 run.

The 34-year-old departed via free agency after the 2019 season. His final Giants appearance was an at-bat in the last game of the season. It was an understated way to go out, but one that fit him well.

Moving on from Bumgarner was not an easy choice, but it proved to be the right one. It was quietly becoming clear that he was no longer the same pitcher in his last couple of seasons with San Francisco. The massive workload he assumed earlier in his career took its toll.

The 15-year veteran struggled to the tune of a 5.23 ERA in parts of four seasons with Arizona before being released. There has been very little news about Bumgarner this winter, but he did serve as a grand marshal at his hometown Christmas parade. He might not have much left in the tank, but Giants fans will be happy to see him on the mound once more even if it is with a different team.