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

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.