Fansided

3 worst Phillies moves Dave Dombrowski has made since coming to Philadelphia

By Tim Boyle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on April 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Rockies 7-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on April 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Rockies 7-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia Phillies, Kyle Gibson
Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy were two of Dave Dombrowski’s worst additions. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

2. Worst Phillies moves by Dave Dombrowski: The 2021 trade deadline deal with the Rangers

Could the Phillies have won it all in 2021? The front office thought a starting pitcher having an unprecedented season and an aging closer could help them. The Phillies swung a deal with the Texas Rangers for All-Star pitcher Kyle Gibson along with the team’s closer, Ian Kennedy. Disaster soon followed.

Gibson was having a career year when he found out he’d be going to Philadelphia. At 6-3 with a 2.87 ERA, he was actually in early American League Cy Young conversations. This all changed when he got to Philadelphia. In 11 starts and a relief appearance, Gibson went 4-6 with a 5.09 ERA. His great year suddenly turned a lot more average, eventually finishing 10-9 with a 3.71 ERA.

The deal did keep Gibson around for one more season where he put up very similar numbers, finishing 2022 with a 5.05 ERA. His inability to be a reliable postseason arm is what really drags this trade down.

As troublesome as Gibson was, fans may remember Kennedy less fondly. He was having a similarly successful season for Texas. A 2.51 ERA and 16 saves for the Rangers, he would see his ERA inflate up to 4.13 as a member of the Phillies. He did save 10 games. He also blew three games and regularly got knocked around.

The trade is too young to know if the Phillies gave up any goods. Keep an eye on Josh Gessner, Kevin Gowdy, and Spencer Howard to see if they can drag this deal down. Until then, this deal stinks because Dombrowski picked two of the wrong guys.

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