Angels Rumors: Dylan Bundy needs the next contract extension

Angels starting pitcher Dylan Bundy delivered an ace-worthy performance in a 4-3 comeback win against the White Sox on Opening Day.

It wasn’t a shutout, but Bundy limited one of the league’s best offenses to three earned runs on six hits, while striking out six batters and walking one through six innings pitched.

Chicago scored one run on a wild pitch, and the other two on an Adam Eaton two-run homer. Posting a quality start against that powerhouse White Sox lineup was impressive.

That’s the type of start the Angels envisioned when they named Bundy their No.1, and if he continues to perform well, he’s going to get a significant payday this offseason. Whether or not the Angels will make the biggest offer remains to be seen.

The Angels should not risk Dylan Bundy hitting the free-agent market.

That’s why the Halos need to offer a contract extension to the 28-year-old as soon as possible, just as they did with second baseman David Fletcher on Thursday. The more Bundy posts these kinds of starts, the more expensive he’s going to be in the winter.

Dylan Bundy Last 5 Seasons:

• 2016 (36 games, 14 starts): (10-6, 4.02 ERA) 109.2 IP 1.377 WHIP
• 2017 (28 starts): (13-9, 4.24 ERA) 169.2 IP 1.196 WHIP
• 2018 (31 starts): (8-16, 5.45 ERA) 171.2 IP 1.410 WHIP
• 2019 (30 starts): (7-14, 4.79 ERA) 161.2 IP 1.355 WHIP
• 2020 (11 starts): (6-3, 3.29 ERA) 65.2 IP 1.036 WHIP

Maybe the Halos want to see a little more after Bundy’s resurgence last summer, but I think it’s safe to say he’s turned the corner in his career.

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The Angels also need to make this extension happen considering they have other starting pitchers with expiring contracts. Jose Quintana, Alex Cobb, and Andrew Heaney will be free agents at the end of the year. This leaves Shohei Ohtani and Griffin Canning as the only current starters for next year.

Maybe there’s a chance the Halos use Jaime Barria, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, or Chris Rodriguez but there are still questions and further development needed with those players.

The arms in the 2022 free-agent class aren’t loaded with young talent either, and this team can’t afford to put all their eggs in one basket and get left with nothing if they miss.

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The Angels  should extend Bundy now, and continue staying aggressive in piecing together their rotation. Even if they don’t get their dominant ace in the next offseason, at least they will have a proven arm to build with.