MLB Trade Deadline: Phillies Acquire Pitchers Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy From Texas Rangers, Acquire Freddy Galvis From Orioles
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- The Phillies have acquired some much-needed pitching help and brought back a familiar face. The Phillies acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and closer/reliever Ian Kennedy from the Rangers and shortstop Freddy Galvis from the Orioles before Friday's MLB trade deadline.
The Phils also acquired pitcher Hans Crouse, a 2017 second-round pick, and cash from the Rangers.
The Gibson-Kennedy trade saw Philadelphia trade Spencer Howard, Kyle Gowdy and Josh Gessner Texas.
The Phillies have acquired right-handed pitchers Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and Hans Crouse along with cash considerations from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitchers Spencer Howard, Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gessner. pic.twitter.com/9PTbzANO9K
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 30, 2021
The Phils sent pitcher Tyler Burch to Baltimore for Galvis.
Gibson, 33, made the American League All-Star team this season amid a career year, posting a 2.87 ERA over 113 innings, but he has lost his last three starts. Gibson is still owed about $3.6 million of his $10 million salary for this season, and is signed for $7 million in 2022.
Kennedy is a former starter turned reliever who has 16 saves in 17 opportunities this season with a 2.51 ERA. The 36-year-old is a free agent after this season. Kennedy hasn't issued a walk in his last 11 appearances, a span of 45 batters dating to June 4.
"We feel like we made ourselves better and we're in position where we have another starting pitcher in our rotation for next year. We've also made our bullpen better," said Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, said.
The Phillies went into Friday night's game at Pittsburgh with a 51-51 record and second in the NL East, 3 1/2 games behind the New York Mets.
"Looking at our team in the division (race) this year, he's going to help us, and he is also locked in for next year. I think he makes us better," Phillies manager Joe Girardi said. "He's a guy who can give you innings. He's obviously been good this year, he's an All-Star. He's a guy who has been on our radar for a while."
Gibson could make his Phillies debut as soon as Sunday in the series finale against the Pirates. Dombrowski said Gibson improves the rotation by adding another established starter to go with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler.
Girardi said Kennedy would obviously pitch late innings but said the Phillies were still talking over whether he would be the closer.
There is about $762,000 remaining on Kennedy's $2.2 million salary, and the former big league starter will be a free agent at the end of this season, his 15th in the majors.
Howard was previously regarded as the Phillies' top pitching prospect. The 25-year-old has a 5.72 ERA in 11 games and seven starts with the Phils this season, but his role with the team constantly changed from starter to reliever to starter. Howard was a second-round pick in 2017.
The Phillies have acquired infielder Freddy Galvis and cash considerations from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tyler Burch.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 30, 2021
Welcome home, Freddy! pic.twitter.com/5wGM7e9fCz
Galvis, who's currently injured, came up to the majors with the Phillies and spent six seasons in Philadelphia.
This season, his first in Baltimore, the 31-year-old Galvis has nine homers and 26 RBIs in 72 games with a .720 OPS.
The Phils also acquired left-handed pitcher Braeden Ogle from the Pirates for catcher Abrahan Gutierrez on Friday.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)