Madison Bumgarner has made his last pitch of the 2019 season – and perhaps his career as a San Francisco Giant. The free-agent-to-be would have been in line to start Sunday’s season finale, but manager Bruce Bochy says they’ll watch the game together from the bench, per Kerry Crowley of the Mercury News. Sunday will be the last game of Bochy’s prodigious career as well, and it will be appropriate to take in the game alongside Bumgarner, with whom he won three world championships. If Bumgarner does move on this offseason, he will finish his career in San Francisco with a 119-92 record and 3.13 ERA/3.32 FIP across 1,846 innings – 8th on the Giants all-time bWAR leaderboard. Still just 30-years-old, Bumgarner wraps up 2019 with a 3.90 ERA/3.91 FIP while eclipsing 200 innings for the seventh time in his career. As the penultimate day of the 2019 season gets under way, let’s check in on a couple other teams from the senior circuit…
- The Cubs say goodbye to WGN this week, the beloved television network known as the home of Cubs content for the last 72 years. The long-awaited Marquee Sports Network launches next year, but the revenue streams won’t provide real kickback for a couple of years, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. The long-promised “wheelbarrow full of money” won’t be arriving at Theo Epstein’s baseball operations department from day one, but neither does Epstein see the new television deal affecting baseball decisions. Said Epstein, “We want to win the World Series. But it’s not because of the TV network. That’s the goal. It’s unrelated. There’s a wall between baseball decisions and anything related to the TV network.”
- Trust is a process, and first-year Phillies pitching coach Chris Young understands that process takes a little longer with suboptimal results, per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb and Meghan Montemurro (subscription required). Young’s job was made all the more difficult when players bristled at the dismissal of his predecessor Rick Kranitz. Young’s analytics-driven philosophy was in lockstep with manager Gabe Kapler, but Philly pitchers are taking longer to buy-in, in part from its perception as an inflexible top-down approach. It was a frustrating season on the whole for Philadelphia’s pitching staff as the team regressed to 2017 levels after taking a big step forward in 2018.
rayrayner
Hmmm not letting Theo touch any of the money until after his current contract runs out. Better do good this winter, else no extension.
pt57
Theo’s track record with FAs probably makes that a good thing.
caryloyd
Good coaching is about maximizing players strengths. Analytics is worthless if the coach isn’t in alignment with a players strength. The Astros are champions of analytic coaching.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
Completely agree. In truth, I know little about the Phillies staff, but from what the article says, the staff took a step backwards this season after a new, more analytics-minded coach was installed in the position. Asking those who know better – did Young try to tell the staff, “change the things you did last year that worked?”
Black Ace57
Yeah Young tried to force the pitchers to pitch the way the coaching staff wanted, not to the players strengths. For example, Zach Efflin was doing well at the start of the year. He is a sinker ball pitcher that does best throwing down in the zone and pitching to contact. Young then tried to make him a high spin rate guy that throws up in the zone and strikes people out and he started to suck. When Efflin got fed up and started pitching his old way he started pitching better again.
Same thing happened with the hitting coach. Kingery did terrible last year at the plate and broke out this year when he stopped listening to the hitting coach.
This is also why they refused to even offer Keuchel a contract, cuz he was a good effective pitcher but he doesn’t get it done the way THEY want. Until the Phillies go for winning no matter how it works they will have this problem.
Tmandolfan
During a game this week Franzke & LA were talking about this methodology being an organizational mandate at all levels and LA in particular made it clear he thinks it’s a terrible approach because it doesn’t work for everybody.
Cmurphy
That’s the way it is with all those channels, it takes a couple years before teams spend that.
Watching my last two Cubs games this weekend. Won’t be getting the Cubs channel, not paying for anything related to Sinclair.
ElMagoN9ne
Then get mlb.tv. problem solved. You’re clearly not a real fan if you refuse to support your team.
What is the big deal over sinclair?
johnrealtime
Are you also clearly not a real fan if you don’t attend x amount of games per year? If you don’t have season tickets? Do you have to provide a tithe of a certain percentage of your salary to be considered a real fan?
Read the “Political Views” section of the Sinclair Broadcast Group wiki for your second question
howiet
Wait. So Sinclair does exactly what NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, and others do and that’s why you won’t support Cubs?? Wow.
Mikel Grady
Ha ha yes you must have o e team tattoo and name one of your children after your team or player
SalaryCapMyth
He mentioned their political views, not their activities. Yes, there is a big difference. Sinclair is a conservative supporting media group. Other media groups are not such as ALL the media groups you referenced.
And can we just stop this whole “suppprt the team” drivel and let the guy keep his money and choose not to invest it into organizations he doesn’t like? What are some of you? The Chocago Cubs faithful clergy? You guys going to excommunicate the guy?
ChiSoxCity
MSNBC, and CNN are news channels, not cable carriers.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
ChiSoxCity: You actually believe those two stations deliver news? Better pay more attention. Twenty-four hours a day they deliver opinions, and often times without the benefit of facts. They are the TV equivalent of the National Enquirer with their misleading headlines and lies. They should begin each broadcast with the words, “For Entertainment Purposes Only.”.
differentbears
Unless Cmurphy lives anywhere near Chicago. MLB.tv has local team blackouts. Or, should I say, nearest team blackouts.
Cmurphy
Sadly, I live in a blackout area for mlb.tv but that’s fine. As others have mentioned, Sinclair is in a league of its own political-wise. And no, I am not a bandwagon fan that jumped on in 2016.
desertbull
Awe…a Poor defeated liberal.
mfm420
and yet, cons still whine and cry about liberals, despite having pretty much full power.
enjoy the last few years this country has left, since you guys helped destroy it and christianity here faster and better than any godless liberal like myself ever could
Anthony Princeton
Pointing out “liberal” hypocrisy, delusion and failure is not whining. Civilized societies have been doing this for millennia. It is how we determine and work through ideas. Clearly you are severely lacking in not only historical but current awareness of American politics if you fancy yourself a “liberal”.
ikker19
I wonder how the new Cubs TV network is going to derive its income? Vast majority of Cubs home games are during most people’s work hours…so if they will require some sort of monthly or seasonal or yearly subscription payment in order to view the games live…how much will they charge and how many people are willing to pay for games they can’t watch live? If the money will come from traditional cable subscription fees…this year DirecTV and DishTV did not have Cubs broadcasts available on local stations in many areas because they couldn’t come to a fee agreement. How will all of those issues affect the Cubs network??? It will be interesting to watch it all unfold…I also will not support Sinclair!!!
rayrayner
I think a lot of it will be agreements with cable and satellite companies.
wordonthestreet
Ikkee the vast majority of Cubs home games had not been during peoples work hours for years. Weekend day games do not fit that narrative and though they play Friday day games the vast majority of games M-F are still not close to day games
Kayrall
That’s definitely not true about the work hours and Cubs games. Years ago, yes, most game were day games, even during the week. Very RARELY are there weekday games anymore aside from Friday. There’s even talk about them getting the city to loosen the noose on Friday night baseball on the north side.
Cmurphy
The Cubs played 38 day games (43 night games) this year at Wrigley Field. They’re trying to get up to 54 night games but being in the middle of a neighborhood limits them.
ElMagoN9ne
You can stream for free. You just need to find the right stream. Or pay 120$ for 6 months of baseball from mlb.tv. you won’t need to purchase anything from Sinclair.
mfm420
or if you have t-mobile, they’ll like give mlb out for free again in 2020 like they did in 2019 and 18 (and you don’t have to stream the games on your phone, works fine on pretty much all devices)
jekporkins
What’s with this not supporting Sinclair? Do you realize the Ricketts are conservatives and republicans? Maybe you shouldn’t support the Cubs or any other organization that doesn’t support your view.s. If you do research it will be over half the companies you buy goods at, eat at, and drive cars from.
Sounds like a shady excuse to not pay for a Cubs subscription. I don’t’ blame you for not spending the cash, but don’t use some moral high ground.
rayrayner
BTW, end of an era with WGN not offered any Cubs, Sox, Bulls, and Hawks games any longer. No more free games. . Thank you, Reinsdorf and Einhorn, for your vision.
I’m enjoying Pat and Ron on the radio broadcasts now.
jorge78
Rayrayner, it’s been trending that way for a long time. I don’t get to watch the Rangers unless I buy cable. The Astros aren’t on Spectrum where I live. Guess they thought the Astros were too expensive.
cyyoung24
No Dodgers for a lot of us in LA for years now
jim stem
MLB.tv is worth every penny. Every single game, every day with 4 broadcast options. The coolest aspect is you can watch a 3 minute recap of every game!
DadsInDaniaBeach
I find amusing how the Phillies pitching coach tried to get the arms to pitch up in the zone..Only, other than Nola, non of them have the talent or control to do that..The end result is they lead all of ML baseball in giving up the home run..no other team is close..
I find that and also teaching launch angle in hitting to also be futile..
I’d rather have 8 players like Jean Segura hitting singles and doubles..
Just my $.02c
Bill the Cat
Actually, the Phil’s are 5th in MLB HRs allowed behind the Orioles, Rockies, Angel’s and Mariners. But your point is well taken, analytics cannot benefit a player and team if it goes against his strengths or if he is unable to adjust with any success. I agree with Caryloyd’s comments about analytical coaching.
DadsInDaniaBeach
Thank you for the correction..They must have gone into a slump (*_^)..
And that was exactly the point I was trying to make..why ask a player to try to do something that just isn’t in his wheel house..
Another thing that baffles me is they actually have two pitchers with GREAT stuff. Pivetta, and Velasquez..However, neither one is a pitcher. They are throwers..Velasquez generally has 80 pitches by the 4th or 5h inning every time.Pivetta has the best stuff outside of Nola..If he ever discovers how to pitch, he might be great. I don’t think this team can wait.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
I wonder how some of the Phillies hitters and pitchers ever made it through years in the minors on up to the majors doing everything wrong! Good thing we have our coaches to save their careers by teaching them their version of the best way to hit and pitch! I hope Cigar Guy (Middleton) cleans house. No more McPhail, Klentak, Kapler, Young et al.
Just keep good old Chollie: “See the ball, hit the ball.”.
flyerzfan12
Chris Young was awful and so was his pitching plans. Look no further than Eflin going back to pitching okay instead of awful when he went back to his old style of pitching and not what Young preached.
But you’re dead wrong on them leading baseball in giving up HRs “and no other team is close”. They gave up the 5th most in baseball, still pathetic but far from last with no other team being close. The Orioles gave up the most and it wasn’t even close (303 as of now, next most is 267)
Edit: Bill the Cat beat me to it
DadsInDaniaBeach
I stand corrected.
flyerzfan12
But your whole point stands, most HR allowed or 5th most doesn’t matter, they were atrocious.
neubs 2
Phillies loss is Braves gain. Kranny got a raw deal, ended up with a great one! where’s my tomahawk??
DTD
When are people going to learn that analytics are irrelevant. It takes talent, period. If you’re good, you’ll be successful. If you’re not, no amount of analytics will save you.
rayrayner
It takes talent. Every player in MLB is super-talented. But analytics can help maximize the talent and gain an advantage over the opponent.
antibelt
So do steroids, but what you think “improves” it may not lead to better baseball.
arc89
Also intelligence is a factor. You might have all the talent in the world but no baseball intelligence you stay in AAA. i could list many top prospects that couldn’t do the little things to be a great player.
takeitback
Terrible take. You really think that analyzing hitter tendencies is irrelevant? Knowing their hot/cold zones? Knowing what pitches they struggle with? Knowing where they usually hit the ball so that you can align your defense accordingly?
None of that matters? Umm……..ok!
BeeVeeTee
Within a few years fans will have to purchase all of the networks! I think it’s going to be kind of expensive but baseball is a business! Your local sports bar will be paying a large amount to broadcast baseball games since a bar pays by seat and not like we do at home. You will see the price of beer go up from $5.00 to $10.00 at your local sports bar if you want to go to watch a game.
rayrayner
Listen to the radio for free and if there’s a play you want to see it will be on Gameday or YouTube within 15 minutes.
BeeVeeTee
From my understanding, the MLB wants to package all of the teams into one by 2022 or 2023! That’s something I came across when I was reading an article.
rayrayner
Don’t they have that with MLB.TV for out of area games?
BeeVeeTee
I believe the MLB wants to don some package deal like the NFL does when the viewer or viewers get all of the games.
ElMagoN9ne
They have blackout restrictions for more than 50% of games that are out of market. Which is ridiculous. People that pay for mlb tv. should get every single game no matter what
differentbears
Agreed. What I really don’t get is why certain areas get blacked out. I’m watching the Dodgers on the NBC Sports app instead of MLBtv because I live 200 miles from San Francisco.
Because obviously I should drive 400+ miles round trip to attend games for a team in another state entirely.
But what I *really* don’t understand is why the road games are blacked out as well.
desertbull
The highlight of Chris Young’s career was being punched in mouth by Derek Lee.
seth3120
The Cubs are near the very top in payroll now don’t expect some huge influx in spending because of this deal. They are in win now mode even if the results aren’t showing it. The payroll is what it is and what it will be
ChiSoxCity
Thanks for the insight Yogi.
its_happening
Why not entertain the idea of a soft rebuild if you are the Cubs? They are trending backward. If not, a couple of very bold trades this off-season. They have talent and could use a shakeup.
BeeVeeTee
It’s possible that Bryant will be moved for a MLB ready player or two along with a pitching prospect. The idea move would be with the Braves for Riley with two pitchers but that depends what they do this post season. The Braves are stacked with pitchers. Bryant will have another 2016 season batting around Acuna and Freeman.
SalaryCapMyth
I like the idea of Bryant at third base for the Braves but I doubt the Braves make this move for 2 years of him. The Braves haven’t made a single big trade despite these last two years being division winners. Instead of trading young talent for established veterans he’s been patient with them, allowing them to mature and develop into contributors. Its almost a certainty that Bryant won’t extend so I really dont think the Braves pull the trigger.
steelerbravenation
How many years til he hits free agency because you are not getting all that if it’s for 1 year.
BeeVeeTee
Bryant is a free agent after the 2021 season! So it’s two years of arbitration with him.
desertbull
A lot of teams are going to need to rebuild their bullpen with the 3 batter minimum coming next season. You cant have guys on the roster that can only get LH hitters out.
steelerbravenation
Bad thing bout MadBum is a new team is going to have to overpay since the Giants underpaid so dramatically.
I hope coming home to Brave country entices him over the $$$ that the Cards, Yanks & Phillies are sure to offer.
The Braves young staff could use a leader with a bulldog mentality. With the rotation being so young & cheap for the next few years maybe the Braves have the ability to overpay. Length of a contract scares me.
cwsOverhaul
WSox a darkhorse to throw a calculated risk big offer at MadBum with its low payroll and young, everyday players on the rise.
BeeVeeTee
Bumgarner will be cheaper than Cole!
DadsInDaniaBeach
Not sure what the Phils will do, but to me, they need three starters..just don’t see that happening.
My bold prediction (not really) is that Gabe gets canned inside of two weeks..what a disaster he’s been…Who pitches to Freddie Freeman with a base open and the game on the line? Only The Gabe..That’s just one example..
sleepyfloyd
It sure scare you mostly because he will give up a great deal of hr in your park.
Where do you get giants underpaid? It was the contract. It so dumb when fans think a player should get more than his contract for prior stats.
steelerbravenation
Oh yeah my bad Giant fans. Giants are never going to let him go because he means so much to the organization and he would never ever want to leave. So much so he would be willing to get robbed again like last contract right.
Delusional Giant fans your hero is leaving & don’t be surprised if Buster gets traded either. Maybe not this year but possibly next.
The Oregonian
You’re delusional if you think Buster’s getting traded. Full NTC, owed a lot of money and in a steep decline.
SalaryCapMyth
Everyone says things like this: “you can’t trade player X because his contracts in unmovable. Everyone said that about Matt Kemp but he was traded FOUR times!!!
mfm420
and yet, unlike posey, kemp never had a no trade contract.
but keep believing everyone can be traded.
i’m sure any day now, miggy and pujols will waive their ntc’s and leave their teams
steelerbravenation
Owed big money exactly why he would be moved. Why would or better question why should he stay for a rebuild. He would gladly accept a trade to a contender for the next phase of his career. And don’t forget he still is an asset behind the plate so to some teams that makes the cost worth it especially if a GM gets the Giants to eat a bit of his contract.
Bart is the future and the rebuild will begin.
I love how Giant fans think that nobody would ever dare want out of that huge ballpark.
SFGiants74
The Giants are already in full rebuild mode.
sleepyfloyd
But the idiot fan base refuses to see it or admit it.
steelerbravenation
His defense is not in a horrendous decline and maybe if you played in a park that wasn’t the size of Yosemite his offensive numbers would be better
sleepyfloyd
Well Buster has said that he may be open to a move but his decline is so steep his only worth is to the Giants as their defensive standout and handle the young staff. It’s not mandatory a teams catcher should be a top hitter. Just sucks the giants don’t have hitters
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
If the Giants pick up some of the cheese Posey is owed, he just might be the perfect fit at C for the Mets. Besides, Brody seems to like guys on the wrong side of thirty.
ABStract
Who is this guy arguing with?
Himself, I guess
The unprovoked name calling’s a classy touch
SFGiants74
What makes you think he wants to leave. You are delusional if you think you know exactly what he is going to do. Look at his ERA at Oracle. He obviously has a preference for pitching at AT&T.
sleepyfloyd
Bum gives up she’ll of a lot of hr and ATT is a tough park to hit them. I don’t know if it’s preference as much as just the fact his numbers will be better at att because it’s a pitchers park
mistry gm
WGN’s last broadcast was pure CLASS. Thank you for all the great years. Cubs fans will miss you.
8791Slegna
Used to enjoy watching the Cubs on WGN and the Braves on TBS.
alanofla
Thank you for remembering Mr. Lyman Bostock. I met him when he played for the Angels, shortly before he was killed. He was a nice man and a class act. He would have been an MLB superstar if only…May he rest in peace…
Wainofan
Cardinals won first regular season game ever televised on WGN, it would be awesome to bookend it and win the last as well.
rayrayner
Last game on WGN was last night
southi
I REALLY hate for WGN not to carry the Cubs anymore. I wonder how much the switch to pay channels for baseball has hurt the growth of young fandom. Back in the 70s I could catch the Cubs on WGN, the Mets on WOR and the Braves on WTBS. We’d watch the games and mimic batting stances of the players. Lots of fond memories from that time period. I know the ease of access to watching games certainly kickstarted my own love for the game.
jim stem
You can easily get every single game, every single day with mlb.tv. Highly recommend it AND you can skip right past all the commercials!
southi
So many people want to tell other people how to spend their money. I’m sorry there is no way I’m paying money for MLB network. Five kids + taking care of father in law + limited income = very little disposable income. I know more people are limited on disposable income than those who have tons of extra money to waste.
Factor in the blackouts and it is definitely a no go.
mfm420
if you have t-mobile, the mlb tv deal is free (and likely will be as long as tmobile sponsors mlb)
differentbears
Same. I have the MLB package, so I get most games. But as a kid, I really loved that WGN and TBS existed, especially when Atlanta was in the NL West. Between the Cubs and the Braves, that’s where I saw most of the Dodger games growing up.
I’ll never forget the extra innings game in LA when Harry Caray, clearly up past his Bud-, er, bedtime, said something about the Cubs hoping the Dodgers would turn into pumpkins.
Watched a lot of Cubs games without their playing the Dodgers too. End of an era.
steelerbravenation
You ppl act like you don’t have cable
Baseball is more readily available now than it ever has been
I drive a truck for a living and I am all over the country every hotel I stay at gets the local teams at the very least on cable.
rayrayner
I have never paid for cable and don’t drink, so I don’t go to bars. That’s why it is sad the free games are going away
I do catch free games of the day on MLB.tv and GADE tv on Roku sometimes “captures” MLB Network.
Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher
Unless a kid is talented enough to be on a travel team and baseball is his sport, kids don’t follow or play baseball like a lot of us did as kids. On any summer day, drive by a ballfield and you won’t see a soul. Probably ain’t gonna change anytime soon.
jim stem
I wonder how much success Bobby Cox and his pitching coaches would have had strictly adhering to “the binder”? Analytics are useless if you can’t connect to the emotional and mental strengths of any athlete. How many Hall of Famers would be there if everyone pitched to limits, binders and numbers?
Today’s game is maddeningly filled with bad fundamentals, poor philosophy and contract driven results. It’s time to start paying players for TEAM games won instead of rewarding useless homeruns in losing efforts and 4.50 era’s and 6 inning no decisions that kill bullpens and leave the outcome of games in the hands of your 10th, 11th and 12th ‘best’ pitchers.
steelerbravenation
You are so out of touch
Braves pitchers had pitch counts too
I have heard Tom Seaver speak about his pitch counts and how Nolan Ryan’s pitch count was higher
Than his on the Mets in the 60’s.
Today’s baseball is simple in the history of the game it has been proven that the numbers 3rd time thru an order start to favor batters. So therefore today’s philosophy is to pitch max effort for a shorter period of innings.
The difference was pitchers in years past would pitch at 70% and dial it up from there as situations dictate
Nowadays they throw max effort and burn out faster
With a fresh high velocity arm coming out the bullpen
It was a different time just like when pitchers pitched to contact and the mound was lower
It’s apples and oranges the game evolves
spidah_carbone
I hope during the off season Baez and Rizzo cruise around chicago heavily intoxicated flip their car on Waveland Ave and blast themselves
megaj
Hopefully this means we will no longer have to tolerate the rambling stupidity of Len Kasper and Jim DeShaies?
washington_bonercats
Bum is gonna make one hell of a manager when he hangs up the cleats. You can tell he and Boch had an outstanding relationship. Im sure he learned an awful lot from him.