Angels Rumors: Dylan Bundy’s 2022 free-agent rank and projected contract

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Bundy is currently ranked as the tenth-most valuable free agent, and he is the fourth-most valuable starting pitcher behind Trevor Bauer (No.1) Clayton Kershaw (No.2) and Noah Syndergaard (No.3)

Bauer would become a free agent in 2022 if he opts out of his current deal with the Dodgers.

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MLB Trade Rumors (2022 FA Rankings)

• 1) Corey Seager-SS
• 2) Trevor Bauer-RHP
• 3) Carlos Correa-SS
• 4) Trevor Story-SS
• 5) Freddie Freeman-1B
• 6) Kris Bryant-3B
• 7) Michael Conforto-OF
• 8) Clayton Kershaw-LHP
• 9) Noah Syndergaard-RHP
• 10) Dylan Bundy-RHP

Angels: Dylan Bundy ranks among big-name starting pitchers.

While these rankings are based on performances of the past and future projections, the current statistics could give Bundy a case as the second-most valuable free agent pitcher right now, even though his career numbers are not as good.

2021 Statistics:

• Dyaln Bundy (3 starts): 19 IP 7 ER 5 BB 22 K (1.503 WHIP) (3.67 FIP)
• Trevor Bauer (3 starts): 20 IP 6 ER 5 BB 29 K (0.600 WHIP) (3.24 FIP)
• Clayton Kershaw (3 starts): 18.2 IP 6 ER 1 BB 16 K (1.071 WHIP) (1.59 FIP)
• Noah Syndergaard Has Not Pitched–Tommy John Surgery

It’s taken longer than most anticipated for a former fourth-overall pick, but Bundy has provided legitimate reasons to believe he has turned the corner for good in his career.

In terms of how much Bundy will and should get paid, I think it’d be accurate to compare him to Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. The right-hander is one year younger (27) than Bundy (28), and the two have similar numbers over the past two seasons. While McCullers has better overall career statistics, Bundy has outperformed him going back to 2020.

Angels: Dylan Bundy is projected a similar deal to starter in the AL West.

McCullers signed a five-year, $85 million extension in March. I think Bundy earning a deal in the neighborhood of four-years, $80 million can be expected if he continues his current trends.

McCullers and Bundy Last Two Seasons:

• McCullers (14 starts): 68.2 IP (4.22 ERA) (1.188 WHIP) (9.5 K/9)
• Bundy (14 starts): 84.2 IP (3.31 ERA) (1.045 WHIP) (10.0 K/9)

Career Statistics:

• McCullers (97 games): 522.1 IP (3.74 ERA) (1.262 WHIP) (10.0 K/9) (3.32 FIP)
• Bundy (141 games): 699 IP (4.51 ERA) (1.295 WHIP) (9.0 K/9) (4.55 FIP)

What Bundy’s payday will come down to is whether or not teams will take into account his past performances with the Orioles (4.67 ERA, 4.75 FIP) versus what he’s done with a smaller sample size in Anaheim (3.30 ERA, 3.11 FIP).

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Given how much this franchise has been starved for consistent starting pitching, I think it’d be a mistake for Angels owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian to risk Bundy testing the free-agent market.

With the way Bundy’s stock is rising, the Angels need to make a contract extension happen now.