Kyle Gibson Has "Genuine Interest" From Unexpected NL Source

The free agent market for starting pitchers is robust, and for a 10-year veteran like Kyle Gibson, he'll have a fair number of suitors, despite an off-year. We were surprised to learn, however, that a team that rarely wades into the free agent pool these days, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are one of them. 

Things are heating up for free agent Kyle Gibson. Pirates are among teams involved as @RobBiertempfel reported

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2022

Gibson pitched this past season for the Philadelphia Phillies, but didn't fare too well coming off his All-Star campaign in 2021 which saw him post a 2.87 ERA in the season's first half for the Texas Rangers. He came over to the Phillies at the trade deadline that year, however, and posted a 5.09 ERA in 69 innings down the stretch. The numbers were eerily similar in Philly this past season, with Gibson struggling to another 5.05 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP.

Per source, Pirates have "genuine interest" in free-agent RHP Kyle Gibson and the two sides recently talked via a video call.

Last season, Gibson was second on the Phillies’ staff with 31 starts and went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA.

— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) November 28, 2022

Gibson's lifetime ERA is only slightly better, at 4.52, with a 1.38 WHIP.  

According to reports, the Pirates have talked via video call to Gibson. Pittsburgh won't be stopping there, however. MLB Insider Robert Murray reports that they are "far from done" and "active behind the scenes" in regards to pitchers and outfielders.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports