SAN DIEGO — Madison Bumgarner is accustomed to being the center of attention.
So it’s no surprise that Bumgarner’s free agency is one of the hottest early topics of this year’s Winter Meetings.
The former San Francisco Giants starter is considered one of the top pitchers available this offseason and as the market for ace Gerrit Cole takes shape, so does the market for the No. 1 left-hander.
Multiple reports have indicated Bumgarner is seeking a five-year deal similar to the one former Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler signed with the Philadelphia Phillies last week. It’s uncertain whether Bumgarner will surpass the $118 million total Wheeler received from the Phillies, but it’s still possible it will take a nine-figure commitment from a team to lure Bumgarner.