As the trade deadline approaches like a runaway train, rumors about the Atlanta Braves interest in pitchers increase in number and intensity.
This morning Jon Morosi reported that the Atlanta Braves were among the teams interested in Dylan Bundy. A few days ago, James wrote about Bundy as a potential trade target; he’s having a season like those his projections promised when the Orioles took him as the number four pick in the 2011 draft.
Currently pitching to a 2.58 ERA, 3.08 FIP, and 0.887 WHIP in 36 1/3 innings for the Angels, the most interesting and attractive numbers are his 44 strikeouts with just eight walks, and one of the walks was intentional. He’s making very little money this year and has another arbitration year ahead in 2021.
It has taken Bundy a while to get to this point: now close to 28 years old, he was drafted out of high school and made his major league debut in 2012 before turning 20. He threw just 1.2 innings with the Orioles that year and didn’t get back to the majors until 2016… with varying degrees of success.
Now that he’s figured things out, the price would undoubtedly be pitching close to major league ready or already there. The Braves could offer that in the form of Tucker Davidson and Touki Toussaint, as well as potentially including a lower-level prospect.
The Padres and White Sox are also reportedly having conversations with Billy Eppler, and both have farm systems capable of providing what the Angels are looking for, which makes acquiring him problematic.
Acquiring Bundy would provide another lead piece for the Atlanta Braves rotation, but another starter would add a better rhythm going forward. In that context adding a Gibson makes a great deal of sense.