Phillies news: Club ‘longshot’ to reunite with Cole Hamels
By Matt Rappa
Phillies executive Dave Dombrowski is bullish on starter Kyle Gibson.
The most notable trade the Philadelphia Phillies made ahead of the July 30 deadline was when they acquired starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, closer Ian Kennedy, and minor-league pitcher Hans Crouse from the Texas Rangers in exchange for former top prospect Spencer Howard and two other minor-leaguers.
Right away, the 33-year-old and nine-year veteran shined in his Phillies debut. Pitching 6 2/3 innings in Sunday’s eventual; 15-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the right-hander allowed just five hits, two runs, and two walks, while striking out five of his 27 batters faced. In earning a winning decision, Gibson earned his first victory since June 26 — when he improved his season win-loss record to an impressive 6-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
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Before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski called Gibson an “established major league veteran pitcher” on SportsRadio 94 WIP:
"“He has been doing this for a long time. Of course, he made the All-Star team this year. He’s been a good, solid pitcher for a lot of years.”"
Kyle Gibson on winning his Phillies debut today and getting to 3.5 games behind Mets
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 1, 2021
“It was a lot of fun. There’s nothing like pitching in a pennant race. And being on a team that is fighting every single day to get to where they want to be” pic.twitter.com/jckPhT8Qe0
While Gibson will not overpower opposing batters, Dombrowski noted he can still mix his pitches and throw strikes — all the while fielding his position well. Another thing Gibson brings to the Joe GIrardi-led club is the ability to throw deep into games. Excluding his first start of the season on April 1, Gibson has pitched at least five innings in every one of his 19 starts, a feat even his new rotation-mate and Phillies ace, Zack Wheeler, has not achieved this year.
"“For us, the one thing — not only [can he] win [you] games — he can give you length out there, as far as innings are concerned.”"
Dombrowski went on to say that Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler were really the only two guys who could provide length with Zach Eflin currently sidelined:
"“Having a person like him that can give you a chance to win the ballgame on an every-start basis — but also give you that length — is extremely important for us as we move forward.”"
So far, so good in the Gibson-Phillies era.