Around The Majors 2019

[thethe]

Using the top 5% of players to point to some sort of trend probably isn't the best way to evaluate the aging curve for players in general. Its also true that a pitcher's velocity starts on a steady decline VERY early on in their career. There are some unicorns out there who either buck that trend or figure out ways to mitigate their physical decline, but those guys are exceedingly rare. Madison Bumgarner isn't one of those unicorns. Madison Bumgarner isn't even close to the top 5% in the league anymore. The fact of the matter is that he hasn't had an xwOBA under .300 since 2016, its trending in the wrong way, and his statistics have reflected it over a longer period of time than just his past 6 starts.

He isn't in his prime and he is obviously declining. That doesn't mean he is useless to us, but it does mean that we shouldn't value him as a "HoF pitcher in his prime" when talking about trade scenarios. It also means that, under no circumstance, should we offer him a deal that carries him through his age 35 season. That would be insanity of the highest order.

All im saying is the argument against a pitcher over 30 is not as strong as a hitter. The past few years have shown us this. If you can command your pitvhes you will stay effective.

[BeanieAntics]

All im saying is the argument against a pitcher over 30 is not as strong as a hitter. The past few years have shown us this. If you can command your pitvhes you will stay effective.

No, thats not all your saying. You specifically argued that it would be a good idea to give Madison Bumgarner a contract that would carry him through his age 35 season.

Besides, I don't even understand where the hitter/pitcher aging curve debate developed. I think that most people can agree that multi year contracts to any 30+ year old player is almost always a bad idea.