As the calendar flipped to the new year, Jerusalem had additional reason to celebrate in its first free agent signing under new leadership. Former Tripoli bullpen mainstay Toby Bundy, the hard-throwing 25yo Englishman, immediately will slot in as the Hammer’s shutdown option after inking an eye-opening $4.8M deal in the third wave of free agency.
“The more we looked at it, this off-season had ravaged our pitching - both the rotation and pen,” GM Mark Becker noted. “We have a lot to do just putting a full staff together, but I feel a lot less anxious about that task with someone of Bundt’s caliber in the fold already.”
Possessing some of the top stuff in the GBC, Bundy’s ERA trended downward his most recent two seasons, though he posted highs on both strikeouts and IP this past season with a FIP half a run better than results showed. Jerusalem certainly had a good look at him last time he took the mound as well, as he threw in four games of the United Cup playoff series vs the Hammers, notching two saves before taking a loss and giving up another two runs in the 13-12 Game 6 epic claimed by Tripoli. The Hammers apparently still liked what they had seen from him to make such a significant commitment, though having missed out on the first few waves of FA May well have informed the pressing nature of the defending champions’ need.
“We’re pretty optimistic Toby not only locks down our bullpen, but could be looking at a career year - we plan to use him as a high leverage multi-inning guy who is going to get us plenty of value,” Becker explained. “He’s still young enough to improve, has been throwing the best he ever has in his private workouts and his dog-lover personality is going to be a phenomenal fit in the clubhouse and community. We couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to be our first official signing.”
Hammer Time 2051.1 - First Signing
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