The Giants are so hot right now. And while we are still waiting for some of the trade rumors to ignite, San Francisco's main question is whether or not the team is going to buy or sell.
Yep -- we're still here ... waiting.
That 11-3 since the All-Star break hotness had us thinking MadBum will absolutely be gone by the deadline to -- hmm ... maybe not. But former Mets general manager turned baseball analyst Steve Phillips believes if the team were to hold on to the experienced pitcher, it would be regretful for the organization. And even more importantly, it would be bad for the ace himself.
"They're NOT going to the playoffs." 😳@StevePhillipsGM thinks the #SFGiants will regret not being sellers at the deadline. pic.twitter.com/KTqaxku6SC— Stadium (@Stadium) July 26, 2019
"Not only is this wrong and horrible for the Giants, it's horrible for Bumgarner," he said in an interview with Stadium.
If the Giants can continue playing like they are, and they probably will for a bit, the team has a chance of holding on to him. That means trades will happen, but they could come in the form of a couple of bullpen arms.
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While that'll make Giants fans happy -- those smiles will only last for a short while.
Phillips said the Giants will not make the playoffs -- and sorry fans, but they won't. I've said it time and time again this season's team will be the type to make the division interesting and pester others but does not possess a lineup that can make it during October baseball. Even though yes, I know -- Bumgarner is always in his element during that month.
"They're going to end under .500 by about five to seven games, they're going to be 10 games out of a wild-card spot -- they're not going to the playoffs," Phillips said.
Phillips also mentioned if he were to get traded, it meant Bum wouldn't get a qualifying offer or compensation would be attached to him in free agency.
"If he stays in San Francisco, they're going to give him a qualifying offer, he'll going to go to free agency, and his problem is is he's a lot like Dallas Keuchel."
Keuchel was one of the main pitchers still looking for a job even after the season had begun. He had to wait until after the draft to find himself a home with the Atlanta Braves. Beyond that, his numbers are similar to Bum's.
"They're the same guy," Phillips said.
The waiting game lasted an eternity it seemed to have the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner and Craig Kimbrel to sign with a team.
Is that what Giants fans want?
Earlier this month, NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Tim Flannery said Bumgarner needs to be treated with respect both monetarily and trade market-friendly.
"They owe it to Bumgarner to trade him."
[RELATED: What scouts see Giants doing before deadline]
If they do sell, and they will, Giants then would receive the elements Farhan Zaidi and the organization had been preparing for since the president of baseball operations accepted the position in the offseason.
Don't get your hopes up. Bumgarner deserves to receive the compensation he's worth, it's just not with the Giants.
