When the Angels acquired RHP Dylan Bundy in exchange for 4 minor leaguers in early-December, they acquired a pitcher who has started 28 or more starts in each of the last three seasons.
Bundy has a career ERA of 4.67 in 5 big league seasons in 614.1 innings pitched. He was a first-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2011, and was a highly touted prospect, but dealt with arm injuries earlier in his career after making his debut at the age of 19 in 2012. Bundy, however, would not appear in the big leagues again until 2016. He has continued to eat innings for the Orioles since his return and now at the age of 27, the rebuilding Orioles dealt him to the Angels, who are in need of innings but may get something more than just an innings eater.
Dylan Bundy has been one of the more consistent starters for Baltimore and by getting out of the hitter-friendly ballpark that is Camden Yards and the hitter-friendly American League-East, Bundy may be able to put up better numbers than in years past. The past three seasons have seen Bundy start 89 games and throw 503 innings to a 4.83 ERA while striking out 498 hitters.
The Orioles made a trade a few years back and if there was a rewind button, the Orioles would not make that trade again.
The trade that the Baltimore Orioles made in 2013, was that they acquired RHP Scott Feldman and Catcher Steven Clevenger in exchange for RHP Jake Arrieta and RHP Pedro Strop to the Chicago Cubs. Arrieta was the main piece Chicago got back in this trade and he had been pitching poorly since debuting with Baltimore in four seasons (2010-2013) with the team that had drafted him in the 4th round. Arrieta had struggled to put it together in Baltimore and during his time with Baltimore, he had an ERA of 5.46 through 358 innings.
Once the Cubs acquired Arrieta he became a different pitcher as in 5 seasons with the Cubs (2013-2017) he pitched to a 2.73 ERA in 803 innings and even won the National League CY Young award in 2015.
A reason why this trade could end up haunting Baltimore is that these trades are similar as Bundy is the same age as Arrieta when the Orioles traded him to the Chicago Cubs mid-season in 2013. They both have similar stats during their time in Baltimore as these categories are all close Strikeouts per 9 innings, H/9, HR/9, BB/9, ERA+ (which is ballpark adjusted), and FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching).
Bundy should be able to pitch better out of the AL East and playing for the Angels should be easier as the Orioles are a young team whereas the Angels they are a great defensive team especially now with the addition of 3rd Baseman Anthony Rendon and Shortstop Andrelton Simmons on the left side of the infield.
The Angels hope that with new pitching coach Mickey Callaway and a change of scenery will help Dylan Bundy become a better pitcher.
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