Angels Rumors: Should Halos look to trade Dylan Bundy at the deadline?

Should the Angels deal Dylan Bundy at the trade deadline?

While there are multiple reasons why the Angels should try to hang on to Dylan Bundy at the trade deadline, there are also a few reasons why the team should consider moving him.

From a straight return on investment standpoint, there may be no better time to sell high on Bundy. After years of unfulfilled promise, the right-hander is having a career season after just five starts. He ranks 15th in the league in pitching fWAR and 7th in SIERA (Skill Interactive ERA), placing him among the top pitchers of 2020.

As always, pitching will be in high demand at the deadline and Bundy is among the few pitching leaders playing for a team that seems like an obvious seller. While the Angels might not be necessarily keen on moving Bundy, they’ll nonetheless listen on offers in an effort to get overwhelmed with a deal.

There’s also a question of sustainability. Dylan Bundy has been electric thus far, but he’s done so be relying heavily on off-speed pitches. The slider in particular has been most effective, with an average exit velocity of just 78.1 MPH. However, how long before major league hitters start laying off of it and force Bundy to get back to his low-90s fastball?

Bundy will likely make two more starts before the August 31st trade deadline. One of those starts will come against the Houston Astros and the other will fall likely be a third start against the Mariners. By moving Bundy before the deadline, the Angels potentially protect themselves from any sort of course correction for the right-hander.

One way or the other it will be a gamble for the Angels. Do they keep pushing their chips in and hope for a bigger prize or cash out now?