Texas Rangers complete fire sale with Gibson/Kennedy trade to PHI

If the Texas Rangers were going to trade Joey Gallo, they had to be prepared for a fire sale on the rest of their veteran players. And that they did!

Just an hour prior to Friday’s trade deadline (and what a deadline it was!), the Rangers sent RHPs Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and prospect Hans Crouse in a package deal to the Philadelphia Phillies, in exchange for RHP Spencer Howard and pitching prospects Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gessner.

Got all of that?

The Texas Rangers traded Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and Hans Crouse to the Phillies for Spencer Howard and some pitching prospects

It’s the combination deal of Gibson and Ian Kennedy that we anticipated would happen, as the Phillies desperately needed pitching upgrades at the deadline. And the Rangers did quite well.

In acquiring Spencer Howard, the former Phillies’ top pitching prospect, Texas added someone who can slot into the big leagues right away, even if his 5.72 ERA in 2021 is less than inspiring. Did you read the part about “former top pitching prospect”? That’s not insignificant.

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The Rangers will obviously have the responsibility of reclaiming Spencer Howard as their own and salvaging any remaining potential, but with his being under control through 2027, there’s no rush to do so. The upside is tantalizing.

And to think, Texas got Spencer Howard for a regressing Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy, a rental closer. That speaks to this year’s deadline pitching market.

Of course, acquiring the other 2 pitching prospects Gessner and Gowdy didn’t come without a price, as the Rangers will send No. 9 prospect Hans Crouse to Philadelphia in the deal. That certainly stinks, as Crouse was well regarded within the organization. That said, with Rule 5 questions on the horizon and not being ready for the bigs yet, Texas would’ve had a decision to make with Crouse.

It’s also likely Crouse blossoms into a reliever, rather than a starter. In the end, that matters, because relievers can be found anywhere. It’s the front line starting pitchers like Cole Winn and Jack Leiter that you’d like to keep around.

Overall, the Rangers did well to dispose of Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy, whose accomplishments with the team we should be grateful for. We wish both all the success in the world with the Phillies as they get thrusted into the thick of an NL East race.