Giants GM: Mutual interest in extension with MadBum

The San Francisco Giants are keenly aware their prized pitcher Madison Bumgarner is inching closer to free agency. General manager Bobby Evans said there's "mutual interest" in an extension to keep Bumgarner in San Francisco long term, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, though they aren't actively discussing a deal at the moment.

Bumgarner has one more year left on his contract plus a $12-million team option for 2019, so he's not expected to hit the open market for two more seasons, when he'll be 30 years old.

The ace southpaw signed his previous five-year, $35-million extension in April 2012. The team exercised the first of two $12-million options prior to the upcoming campaign.

Prior to last season, Bumgarner had built a reputation around consistency and durability. From 2011 through 2016, he threw at least 200 innings in each campaign, posting a 93-61 record with a 3.00 ERA (121 ERA+) and 1.08 WHIP while punching out 1,285 batters (9.1 K/9).

Since 2011, Bumgarner has accrued the fourth-most wins above replacement among left-handed pitchers behind only Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, and David Price. That's pretty solid company.