House That Hank Built
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3 trades that make Atlanta Braves World Series contenders in 2019

By Jake Mastroianni

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Cleveland Indians grounds crew paint the World Series logo on the field prior to Media Day at Progressive Field on October 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 24: Members of the Cleveland Indians grounds crew paint the World Series logo on the field prior to Media Day at Progressive Field on October 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: Madison  Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 13, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 13: Madison  Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 13, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Madison Bumgarner

I understand the hesitation from Atlanta Braves fans on Twitter, but I don’t care — give me Madison Bumgarner.

Are you telling me you wouldn’t feel good about MadBum starting a playoff game for the Atlanta Braves?

I get that he may not be the same dominating pitcher that he was from 2013-2016 when he finished each of those seasons with an ERA under three and a K/9 of 8.9 or better.

But people act like he’s washed up, and that’s simply not the case.

He was injured the past two seasons on a bad team and posted an ERA of 3.29 in 240.2 innings with 210 strikeouts.

This year his ERA is a bit inflated from a couple of bad starts, but his K/9 is over 9 again.

Of the top starting pitchers available, he moves the needle the most for me.

Zack Wheeler‘s recent injury probably ends any chance of him being traded. And if I thought the Mets would really trade Noah Syndergaard, I may take him here instead.

Obviously, if Jacob deGrom was available he would top this list, but I just don’t see that happening. The same can be said of Trevor Bauer.

Marcus Stroman would be a nice upgrade to the rotation, and I love his competitive nature, but I prefer the postseason experience of MadBum.

Matthew Boyd is another candidate here, but he’d be last on my list of starters to trade for.

Give me a playoff rotation of Mike Soroka, Dallas Keuchel, and MadBum all day long.

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