Texas Rangers: 3 teams that could use a Gibson/Kennedy trade package

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Much to our surprise, the rumor mill surrounding some of the Texas Rangers‘ most tradeable assets at this year’s deadline has been relatively quiet, outside of the usual rampant Joey Gallo speculation.

And while Gallo could certainly be moved, a “daunting” asking price tagged to him will make that reality more unlikely than not in our estimation. The same won’t necessarily be the case of pitchers Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy, however.

Gibson, coming off a scoreless inning in the 2021 All-Star Game and a 2.29 ERA on the season, and Kennedy, with 15 saves and a 2.67 ERA as the Rangers’ closer, should both be very appealing to contending teams looking to upgrade at the deadline.

But perhaps it would behoove the Texas front office to package the two together in one offer, especially since Kennedy has less value as a standalone rental. Combined with Gibson’s contractual control, this starter-reliever bundle could be irresistible to pitching-starved winners.

Let’s look at three potential playoff-bound teams who fit this criteria.

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New York Mets

With injuries galore, the New York Mets could sorely use Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers

The New York Mets are hanging by a thread in first place in the NL East in 2021, and losing ace Jacob deGrom for an extended period of time to a forearm injury has to sting.

However, the nature of the NL East division and their aforementioned first place standing makes it impossible for the Mets not to be buyers at this year’s deadline. And boy do they need reinforcements.

With Carlos Carrasco still rehabbing and Noah Syndergaard’s recovery time frame up in the air, Kyle Gibson could slot in immediately and give New York a starter right now as well as depth for when those guys return.

And Edwin Diaz closing out games? Yikes. Their bullpen has been mostly good on the season, but it can never hurt to add more depth, and quality depth at that with Ian Kennedy.

The Mets seem like ideal trade partners for Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy right now, and they’ve got some interesting prospects that could entice the Texas Rangers’ front office.

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies bullpen is terrible, and their rotation could stand to use an upgrade too. Enter the Texas Rangers with Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy

The Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies are no strangers to each other regarding blockbuster trades involving big name pitchers. The two teams linked up for a Cole Hamels deal back in 2015, with Hamels coming to the Rangers and a prospect load being sent back to Philly.

And the two teams could make magic happen again in 2021, but in reverse.

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Philadelphia’s bullpen has been absolutely atrocious in 2021, with an MLB-leading 23 blown saves. Yeah, they need a closer.

Luckily, Ian Kennedy has 15 saves and a 2.67 ERA this season for the Rangers, and could be the late-inning solution the Phillies need as they look to chase down the Mets in that terrible NL East division.

Philly also has Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin as a solid top of the rotation, but behind them lies uncertainty. Now imagine Kyle Gibson and his 2.29 ERA slotting in behind Wheeler and ahead of Nola to make a fearsome foursome that would definitely put them over the top.

Dave Dombrowski should be on the phone with the Rangers right now, and they better be willing to give up some nice prospects too. Perhaps even better than the ones Texas had to surrender in the Hamels deal back in 2015.

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Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are right in the thick of the AL Wild Card race. The Texas Rangers could help push them over the top

We’re not going to sugarcoat things: that series the Texas Rangers just completed in Toronto (Buffalo) was plain ugly.

The good news is that the Rangers and Blue Jays are now done with each other for the season. And what a relief that is, because Toronto has absolutely teed off Texas pitching this season.

But now, it might be time for the Rangers to aid a Blue Jays playoff push with a Kyle Gibson-Ian Kennedy package.

Outside of ace Hyun-jin Ryu, Toronto’s rotation is just a lot of average pieces, though some like Ross Stripling and rookie Alek Manoah have been performing well of late. But slotting Gibson and his 2.29 ERA into the mix would give more legitimacy to the Blue Jays’ cause this season.

In the bullpen, the Jays have added Trevor Richards and Adam Cimber already, but you can never have too much relief help, especially in the thick of a heated race. Adding Ian Kennedy and his proven track record as a closer would bolster Toronto’s bullpen and given them another late inning option this season.

Next. Yankees "have eyes" for Joey Gallo?. dark

In case you missed this most recent Rangers-Blue Jays series, their lineup is loaded with talent and pop, and it was touted as such going into the season. The pitching has been a question mark, though. A Gibson/Kennedy package would go a long way towards shoring that up.

Honorable Mentions: Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds

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Texas Rangers: 3 teams that could benefit from a Gibson/Kennedy trade package