The Madison Bumgarner sweepstakes may include two East division winners.
The Yankees are expected to be in the pitching market after being ousted by the starter-rich Astros in six games in the ALCS. Bumgarner is one of the big names in a starting-pitcher class that also includes Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler.
NBC Sports reported the NL East champion Braves consider Bumgarner a priority this offseason. They plan on pursuing Bumgarner quickly and would be among the favorites to land the 30-year-old lefty, who hails from North Carolina.
Bumgarner was adamant that he wanted to stay with the Giants last season as the team’s second-half surge to wild-card contention coincided with the July 31 trade deadline. However, the Giants, who have yet to name a manager following Bruce Bochy’s departure, could be leery of the cost to re-sign Bumgarner.
The Post’s Ken Davidoff forecasted a three-year, $60 million deal for Bumgarner.
The Yankees have been linked more closely to Cole and Wheeler than to Bumgarner.
The Braves signed Dallas Keuchel last June to boost a rotation that helped the team to a 97-win season. Keuchel is a part of this free-agency class, too.
It appears that this offseason, the Braves plan on being more assertive in the pitching market.
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