MLB trade grade: Phillies acquire Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy from Rangers

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly close to a deal that would land them Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers.

The Philadelphia Phillies were seemingly on the verge of acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Anderson, but the deal fell through and they watched as the Seattle Mariners swooped in to take him. But with less than an hour before the trade deadline on Friday, the Phillies made a huge splash move to compete in the NL East race.

On Friday, the Phillies acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and reliever Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reports that Spencer Howard will be one of three prospects going to Texas from Philadelphia. Mark Feisand of MLB.com reported that the other players going to Texas are right-handed pitchers Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gesssner, while Texas’ No. 9 prospect Hans Crouse is heading to Philadelphia alongside Gibson and Kennedy.

Phillies close to acquiring Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy from Rangers

The Phillies entered Friday afternoon with  a 51-51 record and sat just 3.5 games behind the rival New York Mets for first-place. Gaining a pitcher to add to the starting rotation and a much needed arm in their bullpen certainly helps in Philadelphia’s hunt for their first postseason berth since 2011.

Gibson is coming off a career year with the Rangers and became one of the better starters available at the deadline. Through 19 starts this season, Gibson recorded a 2.87 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 94 strikeouts over 113.0 innings of work.

As for Kennedy, he is going to be a huge improvement to Philadelphia’s bullpen. This is a team that has been decimated by their relievers and cost them the chance of making the postseason. Kennedy certainly helps them, as he has accumulated a 2.51 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, 35 strikeouts and 16 saves through 32 games (32.1 innings of work).

The Rangers, who are obviously in a rebuild, get three players in return for their veteran pitchers. Howard is the headliner, who has recorded a 5.72 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and 31 strikeouts over 28.1 innings of work.

The NL East is going to be contentious to the very end of the season, as evidenced by the Phillies’ big splash move minutes before the trade deadline.