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The Diamondbacks may have just created the starting pitching scarcity they need to trade Robbie Ray for his best value.https://t.co/UWwezgKaN8
— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) December 15, 2019
The deal is reported to be a five-year deal worth $85 million, with $1`5 million of the deal deferred.
The free agent left-hander has not been a top-tier pitcher since 2016, but has been a reliable, lefty that provides better than league average results. While his 2017 and 2018 seasons were both shortened by injury, he bounced back nicely in 2019, posting 207.2 IP across a league-leading 34 starts.
For the 2020 season, Bumgarner likely plugs in as the team’s #2 starter. Although, plenty could still change between now and April. As Zach Buchanan pointed out above, the Diamondbacks have now created a market scarcity for left-handed starters, potentially improving Ray’s trade value.
More to come...