The Chicago Cubs have been rumored to be interested in Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore for days, but could they still be aiming for a pre-deadline move?

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, the Cubs are still among teams trying to secure Gore’s services, but there is currently “no urgency” on the part of the Nationals to make a deal.

Cubs are among teams trying for Mackenzie Gore. With two plus years to go , no urgency to trade him. Told nothing close yet.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025

Gore is undoubtedly a hot commodity thanks to his success with the Nationals. Though he has a 4-11 record, he has a 3.80 ERA in 22 starts, with 148 strikeouts in 123 innings of work. He made the National League All-Star team for the first time in his career, and has lowed his WHIP and his walk rate this season.

He is in the 80th percentile in baseball in chase rate and whiff rate, and is in the 86th percentile in his strikeout rate, according to Statcast. He deploys a four-seamer and a curveball frequently, and also can throw a slider and a changeup, which he staggers against left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters, respectively, according to the website.

Most notably, the 26-year-old Gore has two years of team control left after this season, eligible for arbitration in each of the next two offseasons.

The question then would be what the Cubs would be willing to give up to the Nationals to secure Gore’s services. Adding a cost-controlled starting pitcher would boost the team as they look to solidify their 2026 rotation, with an option on Shota Imanaga to pick up, Justin Steele’s health to navigate, and the final year of Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd’s contracts to evaluate.

The Cubs do have three pitchers in their top-10 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, but they may be hesitant to part with Jaxon Wiggins, who has posted a sparkling 2.02 ERA in 14 appearances so far this season in Single-A and Double-A. He also has racked up 79 strikeouts in 62 innings, including 48 with the Double-A Knoxville Smokies.

Even if the two sides can’t come to an agreement by the deadline, there is always the chance the Nationals could move him in the offseason as they hire a permanent general manager and decide on a new direction in the nation’s capital.