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Yankees' Cashman 'will definitely talk' with Bumgarner's reps

Denis Poroy / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Add Madison Bumgarner to the growing list of New York Yankees pitching targets.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed Wednesday that his team is interested in the free-agent left-hander, and he's planning to speak with Bumgarner's agent soon.

"I will definitely talk to Bumgarner's agency," Cashman told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. "I haven't. But I will."

"He's been a tremendous player for a long time," Cashman added. "... So we'll certainly have a conversation."

Bumgarner is a free agent for the first time after a stellar career with the San Francisco Giants. He became a franchise icon by helping lead the club to three World Series titles in a six-year span, a run that included his memorable five-inning save in Game 7 of the 2014 series.

The 30-year-old's October heroics would certainly play well in the Bronx, where the Yankees are chasing a 28th championship that's eluded them for the last decade. He was linked to the Yankees ahead of this year's trade deadline, though he ultimately finished the season in San Francisco.

Starting pitching was a weak spot for the Yankees in 2019 thanks to injuries and inconsistency, and it's an area the team is expected to address this offseason. Cashman has already committed to pursuing the two biggest free-agent arms in Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, who are both poised to sign massive contracts.

Bumgarner rebounded from a couple of injury-plagued seasons with a solid 2019 campaign. He posted a 3.90 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, and 203 strikeouts across 207 2/3 innings, the seventh time in his career that he's crossed the 200-inning threshold.

San Francisco tendered a $17.8-million qualifying offer to Bumgarner, who has until Thursday to accept or decline. Assuming he declines, he'll be subject to draft-pick compensation should he sign elsewhere.

The Atlanta Braves are also reportedly interested in Bumgarner and have made signing the southpaw a priority this winter.

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