Angels Rumors: Dylan Bundy fueling trade deadline rumors

Angels Trade Rumors: Blue Jays interested in Dylan Bundy Trade

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays are monitoring a number of Angels players as possible deadline additions. Morosi notes that Dylan Bundy, Tommy La Stella, and Jason Castro are of particular interest to the Jays.

This is not the first time we’ve heard that the Angels and Blue Jays line-up as potential trade partners. We discussed yesterday the possibility of Andrelton Simmons being of interest to Toronto as well.

This is the first we’ve heard of Bundy being monitored by the Blue Jays. However, it makes complete sense as Toronto has watched three starters go down with injuries over the last two weeks. With the team currently in the playoff hunt, an addition as a starter would be a plus to their aspirations.

However, there is a potential bump in the road here in terms of a fit.

Bundy’s value on the market will certainly recoup a larger trade package than the Jays are willing to provide. If the Angels move him, they will be looking for a return that includes an MLB-ready starter, plus multiple other prospects. The Blue Jays aren’t really in a position to accommodate that price tag, given their current injuries and their desire to not burn down their rebuild this close to completion.

That said, the other pieces of interest may be more feasible options. La Stella, Simmons, and Castro are all free agents at the end of the season. As simple rentals, the returns won’t likely be as bountiful as sending Bundy out, but they make more sense as to what the Jays can offer the Angels and still maintain their own future.

Angels Trade Rumors: Dylan Bundy for Mike Clevinger deal that makes sense

Imagine if you will, the Los Angeles Angels get a call to move their current staff ace, but also have a chance to land one in return. Now imagine if said deal also allows them to undo one of the worst trades in team history?

The Cleveland Indians are said to be listening to offers for starter Mike Clevinger, despite the fact that at 17-12, they are currently in a playoff spot. They sit in second-place team in the AL Central or a game up in the Wild Card hunt, both of which would punch their ticket to October.

Of course, Clevinger is no stranger to Angels fans. The Halos infamously traded the right-hander during his prospect days in exchange for reliever Vinnie Pestano back in deal back in 2014. Since then, he’s blossomed into a top-of-the-rotation starter for the upstart Indians.

Would a trade of Dylan Bundy for Mike Clevinger make sense for both teams? Only if the Angels could sweeten the pot a bit.

While Bundy’s value is tied both into his remarkable turnaround and his contractual control through 2021, Clevinger has two years of arbitration remaining and cannot become a free agent until 2023. He also has a track record of success, with a career record of 42-22, an ERA of 3.20, and a 10.1 K/9 over his first 100 games (87 starts).

Clevinger comes with some baggage that could make the Angels second-guess potentially adding him. The Indians starter famously broke quarantine protocols with teammate Zach Plesac and was subsequently banished to the team’s alternate training site, hence the trade rumors swirling around him.

However, there is no denying the pitching ability and while Bundy has been solid for the Halos, Clevinger would fit in over the long-term better and potentially protect against Bundy regressing. As such, let’s put together a potential trade scenario that might work here.

In an appearance on MLB Network, Joel Sherman discussed the Indians and Clevinger, noting that the team would likely be looking for a package similar to the one that they got back for Trevor Bauer at last year’s deadline. That trade sent both veterans and prospects to the Indians, but it did not contain a front-line starter either.

By having Bundy in the deal, the Angels are sending a viable piece the Indians can immediately plug into their rotation. Likewise, with a revolving door in the outfield, the addition of Brian Goodwin gives the Indians a needed cog there as well.

That just leaves the prospect piece. While the Angels will likely be unwilling to part with any of their highest prospects (Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh, Reid Detmers, or Jordyn Adams), D’Shawn Knowles is an intriguing option that has high upside. At 19, he is a ways from reaching the majors, but may ultimately be blocked by the trio of Adell, Marsh, and Adams, not to mention Mike Trout.

Of course, the Indians may insist on a larger prospect piece or an additional player being included, but this provides some framework to a potential deal.

What do you think, could the Angels and Indians line-up on a trade?