The trade market’s heating up as the Winter Meetings close in, and Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore is right in the thick of the rumors. Gore, once a top pitching prospect and still just 25, has become a centerpiece in this offseason’s pitching shuffle, with more than a dozen teams poking around as the Nats quietly let it be known they’ll listen.
MacKenzie Gore’s 2024 Season: Tale of Two Halves
Gore’s appeal is pretty obvious: he’s a hard-throwing lefty with a mid-90s fastball, real swing-and-miss stuff, and a track record that hints at mid-rotation upside. But his most recent season was a mixed bag, and front offices are picking apart every inning.
Dominant First Half Put Gore Back on the Radar
Early on, Gore looked like the third overall pick he once was. In his first chunk of starts, he posted a 3.02 ERA and struck out 30.4% of hitters he faced.
Those numbers are impressive, especially for a lefty with that kind of arsenal. For teams looking for more than just a back-end arm, that version of Gore is exactly what they want—a potential No. 3 starter who can take over a game when he’s rolling.
Post–All-Star Break Struggles Raise Red Flags
The second half? Not so kind. After the All-Star break, Gore’s ERA shot up to 6.75 over 11 starts, and his strikeouts dropped off.
His command, so sharp earlier, got shaky. He labored through longer innings and ran up pitch counts. Injuries played a part—he dealt with shoulder inflammation and an ankle impingement late in the year.
The ankle doesn’t seem to be a long-term concern, but the shoulder issue makes teams a little wary. Scouts still rave about his “plus stuff,” though, and most chalk up the late-season fade to health and maybe just running out of gas, not a loss of talent.
Why Gore’s Trade Value Remains High
Even with the ups and downs, Gore is still one of the most intriguing arms on the market. Contenders who can’t (or won’t) spend at the top of the free-agent market see his combination of upside, age, and affordability as a rare find in a winter where pitching is both scarce and expensive.
Cost-Controlled, Mid-Rotation Upside
Gore’s under team control for two more years, and his salary is a big part of his appeal:
That’s a bargain for a mid-rotation starter with real strikeout stuff. It lets teams upgrade their rotation without breaking the bank, and maybe spend more elsewhere.
Front offices don’t see Gore as a finished product. They see a work in progress—command issues that can be fixed, athleticism to repeat his delivery, and an arsenal that already plays in the bigs. That’s why more than 15 teams are reportedly interested.
Nationals’ Rebuild and the Logic of Moving Gore
Gore’s availability isn’t just about his numbers. It’s about where the Nationals are headed and the timing. With a new front office voice, the Nats seem ready to shake up their long-term plan.
New Leadership, New Timeline in Washington
The Nationals have moved on from the Mike Rizzo era. New president Paul Toboni is running a full-scale rebuild now.
With that in mind, a controllable arm like Gore is both an asset and a trade chip. Inside the organization, there’s a sense they’re not planning to keep him past next year’s trade deadline—they’d rather turn his value into younger, longer-term players.
Teams Lining Up for Gore
Given his profile and price tag, it’s not shocking that Gore’s market is crowded. Win-now contenders and retooling clubs alike are lining up to make their pitch.
Most Aggressive Suitors and Potential Fits
Last summer, the San Diego Padres were apparently the most aggressive, hoping for a reunion with their former draft pick. But they’re far from the only ones. Other teams either linked or making sense include:
The Seattle Mariners are especially interesting. They’re in “win now” mode, have a strong farm system, and probably have the prospect capital to get something done if they want to.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets might make sense on paper, but division dynamics and front office relationships make those deals tricky—even if the fit is obvious.
What Gore Represents in This Market
This offseason, top-tier aces are hard to find. At the same time, mid-level free agents are somehow getting paid like stars.
MacKenzie Gore stands out as a rare middle path. He’s a cost-controlled, high-upside left-hander who probably hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.
If you’re a contender hoping to strengthen your rotation without torching the payroll, Gore’s the type of arm you want. He could easily make the difference in a tight season—or even in October.
Here is the source article for this story: Latest On MacKenzie Gore Trade Talks
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