Angels Rumors: Dylan Bundy fueling trade deadline rumors

The Los Angeles Angels are fielding calls for a Dylan Bundy trade, but are there deals out there that would work for the Halos?

With the  Angels currently sporting an AL-worst 9-21 record at the halfway point of the 2020 season, speculation is running rampant that they will be selling at the trade deadline. As such, Dylan Bundy’s name has become a popular topic as the trade deadline approaches.

The Angels’ right-hander has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2020, somehow turning a reclamation project into the most sought-after starter on the market. Acquired for four minor prospects, Bundy went from a washout in Baltimore to an ace in Anaheim.

After going a combined 15-30 with a 5.13 ERA, a 4.96 FIP, and allowing a whopping 70 home runs over the last two seasons, Bundy has turned things around with the Angels thanks to a new approach. In six starts in Anaheim, he owns a 3-2 record with a 2.58 ERA, a 3.05 FIP, and career bests in both BB/9 (1.9) and K/9 (10.3). More importantly, he’s kept the ball in the yard, allowing just four home runs in 38.1 innings of work.

However, while that change makes him valuable to the Angels, that is precisely why other teams are calling on him. With the Halos out of contention, they become one of the few clear-cut sellers at the deadline. Bundy’s performance to date and his extra year of contractual control makes him an easy standout in a field missing obvious trade chips. As such, they are already fielding calls on the right-hander.

With the trade deadline approaching on Monday, August 31st, teams have limited time to assess needs and put together trades. Likewise, the Angels will need to determine whether Bundy is worth more holding onto for a run in 2021 or whether they need to cash in on his quick turnaround.

Let’s take a look at one rumor that is currently out there and one trade scenario that may actually benefit the Angels in the short-term.

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?