Three starting pitchers Phillies could add at trade deadline

Dylan Bundy, Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have been nothing short of a disappointment in 2020. Anthony Rendon was a huge addition in the offseason, while adding both Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy to the rotation, the Angels have struggled under Joe Maddon. And even with Mike Trout, the Angels are 10-22. A bright spot among their team has been Bundy, however, who was acquired via trade in December 2019.

Bundy, 27-years old, was the 4th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut quickly thereafter at 19 years old for the Baltimore Orioles but got Tommy John Surgery the very next season. He struggled for the Orioles, giving up a league-leading 41 home runs in 2018, while compiling 30 losses between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

A fresh change of scenery was seemingly all Bundy needed. In 2020, he has been very impressive. Pitching to a 2.58 earned run average in six starts, Bundy has struck out 44 batters in 38 and a third innings pitched. If acquired by the Phillies, he would rank first on the team in innings, earned run average, WHIP, and second in strikeouts.

The Angels are most likely going to be sellers, with rumors circulating about Bundy and fellow teammate David Fletcher. Arbitration eligible through next year, Bundy would not be a free agent until after 2021 season.

Bundy would be a very nice get for the Phillies, who could use a third starter of his caliber. The only worry is that Bundy never pitched to numbers like these over the course of a whole season, but that would only make his price tag a little bit cheaper. The Phils’ rival Atlanta Braves have been linked to Bundy as well.