Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target as MLB trade deadline looms

Chicago Cubs: 10 pitchers to target at the trade deadline: #9 – Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson has been extremely solid for Texas this season. Though he owns a career 4.42 ERA, in 2021 he has gone 6-2 with a 2.86 ERA, earning his first All-Star nod as a result. What I really like about Gibson is where he lacks in strikeouts (7.6 K/9) he makes up for with an extreme ground ball rate of 51.3 percent.

He also owns a microscopic 2.8 BB/9. These efficient numbers allow Gibson to routinely eat innings and get deeper into games by keeping his pitch count low. He owns 12 quality starts at this point of the season.

In terms of contract details, Kyle will receive only $7,000,000 in 2022 before reaching free agency after next season. That is a pretty cost effective extra year of team control remaining. Needless to say – due to his success this season and a weak starting pitching trade market, Gibson’s value has gone way up given up that he is having a career year and also has that additional year of team control.

Much like Kyle Hendricks, his pitch arsenal consists of a sinker, change-up, fastball and curveball. Gibson also mixes in a slider and cutter as well to really keep hitters guessing. I am more than confident Gibson would have a higher win total if we was on a team that didn’t have a -104 run differential.