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

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.

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