Potential Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher free agent fits
By Paul Beckman
RHP Kyle Gibson
Kyle Gibson's stats have never jumped off the page - he holds a career 4.54 ERA, 2.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .267 batting average against, pretty much in line with his year-to-year performance. Despite the middling overall numbers, he's been one of the game's most reliable backend starter in his 11-year MLB career. Even at 36, Gibson proved he can still be an innings-eater last season, leading the Orioles pitching staff in innings pitched (192) on route to the club's first playoff appearance in the last seven seasons. Gibson would likely be a short-term target for the club, though he would come fairly cheap - the largest deal he's commanded in free agency was a 3-year, $28 million deal with the Texas Rangers four winters ago.
Gibson has always been a heavy groundball pitcher, posting a 50.7% GB rate in his career. Last season, though, the Orioles infield defense ranked 26th per Outs Above Average. The season before, Gibson played for the Phillies, whose infield defense ranked 25th in baseball. The Diamondbacks defense ranked fourth last year, with skilled defenders like Christian Walker and Geraldo Perdomo on the dirt. Gibson is a low-risk option who could end up in the desert.