[DC 86]

I do think taking on Bumgarner’s salary would be another plus for AZ.  But Marte is in high demand.  So they will get a stronger package than my hypothetical.

Giants don’t have the young cost controlled starters to dangle.  Maybe Wade., but he’s 28.  But I suspect there are questions as to whether he can repeat what he did last year.

Right, that's why I said "additional compensation", such as your example of taking on Bumgarner's salary. [They could also trade CBT picks or international bonus pool money.] You're right that SF should be using its financial muscle to obtain talent by taking on bad contracts, unfortunately in this case Bumgarner is the only Diamondback making over $10 mm/year. Although the funny thing is that while Bumgarner is overpaid ($20 million AAV on the remaining three years of his contract) in this overheated starting pitcher market it's far from being all dead money. The Dodgers recently signed Andrew Heaney for $8.5 million. So taking on Bumgarner's contract does have significant value (perhaps $30 million+ net vs market) but a starter who gives you 150 innings with a 4.50 ERA is far from useless in today's world.

The Giants just don't match up well with Arizona from a trade perspective. Bart is the prospect closest to being a legitimate MLB starter but catcher is one of Arizona's stronger positions. The Giants don't have any starting pitcher prospects who are close to the majors. If the Giants proposed an all-prospects package it would presumably have to include multiple players along the likes of Matos, Ramos, and Kyle Harrison.

Taking on Bumgarner's contract is something the Giants can do which someone like the Marlins aren't going to do, so 100% agreement that that is the something that SF should include in any opening proposal.

[DC 86]

I do think taking on Bumgarner’s salary would be another plus for AZ.  But Marte is in high demand.  So they will get a stronger package than my hypothetical.

Giants don’t have the young cost controlled starters to dangle.  Maybe Wade., but he’s 28.  But I suspect there are questions as to whether he can repeat what he did last year.

Right, that's why I said "additional compensation", such as your example of taking on Bumgarner's salary. [They could also trade CBT picks or international bonus pool money.] You're right that SF should be using its financial muscle to obtain talent by taking on bad contracts, unfortunately in this case Bumgarner is the only Diamondback making over $10 mm/year. Although the funny thing is that while Bumgarner is overpaid ($20 million AAV on the remaining three years of his contract) in this overheated starting pitcher market it's far from being all dead money. The Dodgers recently signed Andrew Heaney for $8.5 million. So taking on Bumgarner's contract does have significant value (perhaps $30 million+ net vs market) but a starter who gives you 150 innings with a 4.50 ERA is far from useless in today's world.

The Giants just don't match up well with Arizona from a trade perspective. Bart is the prospect closest to being a legitimate MLB starter but catcher is one of Arizona's stronger positions. The Giants don't have any starting pitcher prospects who are close to the majors. If the Giants proposed an all-prospects package it would presumably have to include multiple players along the likes of Matos, Ramos, and Kyle Harrison.

Taking on Bumgarner's contract is something the Giants can do which someone like the Marlins aren't going to do, so 100% agreement that that is the something that SF should include in any opening proposal.