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

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.

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.

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.