Hello to Arms

The Phillies finally made a big move. They've acquired Rangers starter Kyle Gibson and closer Ian Kennedy. The price is high, however. Spencer Howard is headed to Texas along with two prospects.

The Phils also got Freddy Galvis back, trading a minor league pitcher to the Orioles for the slick-fielding shortstop. He's an offensive and defensive upgrade from Didi Gregorius, who is having an absolutely horrendous season. 

Gibson was an all-star this year and has a 2.87 ERA in 19 starts this season. He averages about six innings per start and opposing hitters are at just .224 against him with a .626 OPS. He's also a groundball pitcher, which is hugely important at CBP, even with a suspect defense. The 33-year-old is signed through the end of next season. Gibson is having a career year. Coming into this season, he had a career 4.57 ERA with a 1.418 WHIP. Hopefully, he's figured something out and this isn't a one-year blip.

Kennedy is 36 and has 16 saves. He's allowed just 27 hits and 7 walks in 32.1 innings. His ERA is 2.51 with a 1.052. He should be a stabilizing presence in a very shaky bullpen. Kennedy is a free agent at the end of the season.

I'm really torn about losing Howard. He's very young and has struggled big time this year, but he has electric stuff. He runs out of gas after about three innings, but he has a huge upside. He's the reason the Phillies traded Sixto Sanchez to the Marlins for JT Realmuto. They thought Howard had a higher ceiling. I know the Phillies need pitching, but trading your best prospect for an average pitcher having a career year doesn't sit real well with me. 

Phillies VP Dave Dombrowski has acquired Matt Moore, Chase Anderson, and decided to hold onto Vince Velasquez. All three have been terrible this year. I'm not sold on him as a solid evaluator of pitching. 

Pitchers Kevin Gowdy and Josh Gessner are going to Texas with Howard and the Phils are also getting hard-throwing pitcher Hans Crouse, who was drafted not too far behind Howard.