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Phillies: Top 5 starting pitching trade targets, per MLB Trade Rumors

By David Esser

May 23, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies Kyle Gibson
May 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) throws during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Gibson, Texas Rangers

With the Texas Rangers quickly tumbling down the standings, regressing to that of one of the worst teams in the American League, one can only assume that they’re going to go full-blown “fire sale” mode at this year’s trade deadline. They have a handful of attractive pieces, including the likes of Ian Kennedy, Joey Gallo, and current #1 starter Kyle Gibson.

Signed to a three-year deal prior to the 2020 season beginning, Gibson had a really brutal debut season with Texas, before somewhat randomly blossoming into an “Ace” caliber arm for them here in 2021. He’s currently 3-0 across ten starts, posting a career-best 2.24 ERA and a career-best 1.011 WHIP.

For the Phillies, targeting someone like Gibson has its pros and cons. If the veteran right-hander were to continue along his current track, Philadelphia would genuinely have the best four-man rotation in all of baseball. However, if he were to regress back to his pre-2021 form, the Phillies would be looking at yet another bad contract on their books.

The #8 player on MLBTR’s list, Gibson is making $10 million this season and $7 million next season. Dombrowski is going to have money to spend next offseason regardless of what he does at this year’s trade deadline, but you still don’t want to see him needlessly committing it away to players who aren’t exactly the surest of products.

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