Arizona's Big New Arm

The latest big free agent pitcher to come off the boards might be heading to the most surprising destination.

It was no shock for Madison Bumgarner to part company with the Giants. After three World Series championships this decade, his place in franchise history is assured. One day, his number-40 will be posted in Oracle Park's left field corner near Mays, McCovey, Marichal and Hubbell.

With 10 seasons in the books -- and significant injuries in two of the last three seasons -- the already lefty might not be the best investment for a club that needs to rebuild. His new team -- and the amount of his contract -- will raise eyebrows.

We knew he wanted to stay in the National League. He knows the opponents and enjoys having the chance to hit. And while rumors pointed him to Atlanta or San Diego, with a lesser chance to land in still pitching-thin Philadelphia, the D'backs weren't in the conversation -- until news broke over the weekend.

MadBum will help fill the void created when Arizona sent Zack Greinke to the Astros at the trade deadline. Still, one wonders if this is really the kind "win now" move that often goes along with a splashy free agent. In a division with the solid Dodgers, improving Padres and always-dangerous Rockies, are the Diamondbacks really contenders? Or is the Phoenix-area lifestyle, low taxes and quality of life more important to this potential Hall of Famer than enhancing his legacy?

(My image of Madison Bumgarner is from the 2016 NL Wild Card game, where his complete game shutout of the Mets launched San Francisco's successful run to a third World Series title.)

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