Angels Rumors: Dylan Bundy gets more expensive with each start

Angels right-hander Dylan Bundy has solidified himself as the team’s ace, and he’s knocking on the door of becoming an All-Star. If there’s such a thing as a downside to a player’s success, it would be his asking price during a contract year. With the way he’s been pitching, Bundy will be growing more expensive each time he takes the mound this season.

Bundy and the Angels agreed to a an $8.325 million salary for 2021 in his final year of arbitration. In his age-28 season, someone is going to pay Bundy well if he continues producing quality starts.

The longer the Angels wait, the more expensive Dylan Bundy becomes.

In his first two outings of the season, Bundy has allowed five earned runs on ten hits through 12 innings pitched while striking out 16 and walking three. Each was a quality start.

Going back to his first season in Anaheim during 2020, Bundy has combined for a 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 3.72 WHIP over 13 starts. He’s also averaged a 3.72 FIP in that span.

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

More from LA Angels News

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

The only starter currently under contract for next season is two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. Griffin Canning will also be there, but he’s entering arbitration next season. The lack of starting experience for top prospects No.2 Reid Detmers and No.4 Chris Rodriguez leaves a few questions as well.

Considering the amount of rotation pieces the Halos could lose next year, you’d have to wonder if the Angels would offer Bundy a contract extension between now and the end of the season.

Even though he’s only had 13 starts of quality production in an Angels uniform, it appears Bundy has turned the corner in his career. I think you would have to do what it takes to make him part of the rotation for the future.

It’s also possible the Halos have already made extension offers, but Bundy has turned them down and is banking on himself to earn a bigger pay day in free agency. Most players wouldn’t turn down the guaranteed money if they like the figure. There’s a lot that can go wrong, so if it’s what he thinks is his worth, Bundy would probably accept.

Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!

Write for us!

The Angels need to figure this out sooner than later. The issue is the longer they wait, the more expensive Bundy becomes.

It’s a risk regardless, so why not roll the dice and make him an offer he can’t refuse now instead of the offseason?