MLB rumors: D-backs discussed offering Madison Bumgarner $70M contract

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The Giants' worst nightmare began taking shape Tuesday night when The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the Dodgers were shifting their focus to Madison Bumgarner after Gerrit Cole agreed to a record deal with the Yankees. 

But the Dodgers reportedly aren't the only NL West team with their eyes on the longtime Giants ace.

The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reported Wednesday that the Diamondbacks internally discussed offering Bumgarner a "sizable" deal. Piecoro reported the D-backs "floated the idea of a contract in the range of $70 million" for MadBum. 

These talks according to Piecoro were only preliminary, however, and a formal proposal never was made. 

This isn't the first time Arizona has been linked to Bumgarner, though. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the D-backs were one of seven teams outside of the Giants to show interest in the left-hander. This, of course, came before the Dodgers report. 

After trading Zack Greinke to the Astros last season, the D-backs still are searching for a proven No. 1 starter and the 30-year-old Bumgarner certainly fits the bill. MadBum also has appeared in 20 games -- 19 starts -- at Arizona's Chase Field, and is 8-4 with a 3.13 ERA. He also hit two homers on Opening Day in Arizona in 2017. 

[RELATED: How Giants can take advantage of penny-pinching teams]

But $70 million likely won't get Bumgarner to sign on the dotted line. He reportedly is seeking a deal worth at least $100 million over five years, and that seems increasingly likely with the latest moves for starting pitchers this offseason. 

Bumgarner rumors are expected to heat up by the minute, but he doesn't appear destined for the desert quite yet.

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