Angels face multiple scenarios with Dylan Bundy decision

The Los Angeles Angels opted not to move Dylan Bundy at the MLB Trade Deadline and now face multiple options with the pitcher.

Heading into the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline, there was a lot of chatter about the Los Angeles Angels and whether or not they would find a deal to move Dylan Bundy. Among a handful of trade chips, he held the most potential value for the Angels.

He also represented the biggest gamble.

On one hand, the Angels were looking at giving up the man who had arguably been their staff ace in a season where pitching has killed them. On the other, the Halos could turn a relatively modest investment into a net gain in terms of prospects or future pieces to help the team in 2021 and beyond.

Just before the momentum of the day started to reach its peak, word came out of Anaheim that the Angels were likely hanging on to Bundy. According to general manager Billy Eppler, the team fielded a lot of calls, but ultimately didn’t find a deal to their liking.

“Those guys, at least in Bundy and Heaney’s case, I mean they impact the 2021 rotation. It had to be a compelling return for us to do anything with them, and nothing matched up.” (h/t Rhett Bolinger, MLB.com)

It’s not hard to imagine why Eppler would set a high bar when it comes to trading Bundy. At 4-2 with a 2.47 ERA, a 3.13 FIP, and a 9.69 K/9, the right-hander has far exceeded expectations in 2020 and is looking a lot like the ace many predicted of him as a prospect.

In choosing to hang on to Bundy instead of moving him at the deadline, Eppler has now created several potential future scenarios. However, it’s difficult to imagine the logic of the choice from his part, especially if he’s not guaranteed to be a part of those decisions.

With that said, let’s take a look at the potential outcomes that not trading Dylan Bundy has created for the Angels.

Will the Angels look to trade Dylan Bundy over the winter?

The 2020 MLB Trade Deadline brought with it a cloud of uncertainty. Between the expanded postseason casting concerns of legitimacy over a potential World Series winner and the murky financial state of the game after 2020 losses are added up, left a lot of questions as to how the deadline would be handled.

Stuck in the middle were the Los Angeles Angels and Dylan Bundy. While Bundy had increased his trade value decidedly heading into the deadline, there were always going to be concerns over whether it was a flash in the pan or not. As such, teams may have questioned the need to mortgage their farm systems on such a gamble.

Instead, the Angels were the ones left holding the cards. While not finding a deal he felt was substantial enough to flip Bundy, Billy Eppler may have instead opted to push his chips into the pot on the hopes that the pitcher maintains his momentum for the next month of 2020.

If that happens, there is a chance that the Angels will market Bundy this winter, when they can argue that his trade value is higher and potentially seek a larger return. The pool of interested teams could also grow, as those teams that waited to determine their financial commitments have a clearer picture on 2021.

Maybe a team with some bigger contracts coming off the books steps up. Perhaps a young team in need of a few pieces puts their foot on the gas. Those teams will arguably be in a better position to offer a larger package in the offseason than they were in for a throw-away postseason run. As such, Eppler could be betting on finding a better deal this winter than he found on August 31st.

If that isn’t the direction, perhaps…

Should the Angels explore an extension for Dylan Bundy?

While the perception of a future deal may hang over Dylan Bundy into the offseason, there is of course one way to put some of that talk to rest. If the Angels want to prove that Dylan Bundy is part of the bigger picture moving forward, the time is not to strike on a potential extension.

At 27-years-old, Bundy has one final go at salary arbitration this winter before he hits free agency following the 2021 season. While he’s due for a raise over the prorated $5 million he’ll earn in 2020, there is little belief that it will be a significant increase after the shortened season and looming financial uncertainty around the game.

With those pieces on the table, perhaps the timing is right to discuss a long-term extension with the right-hander, before his value increases any further. The Angels could feasibly swoop in with an offer that is both to his liking and provides the team with some financial flexibility over the next few seasons so that they can add further pieces.

Just spit-balling a little here, but let’s say the Angels offer to buy out Bundy’s final year of arbitration, along with the first two seasons of his free agency, and maybe even throw in an option year taking it through his age-32 season. If they offer a $12 million per annul price tag, that may convince Bundy to sign on the dotted line.

That kind of deal provides him with stability after years of seeing his arbitration weighed down by poor performances. Additionally, it is a below-market price tag for a solid rotation piece in today’s game, allowing the Angels to explore other options down the road.

However, there is one third and final option…