Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
As the MLB offseason continues to move forward, there are multiple big names who could be on the move in trade talks. With how pricy free agency has gotten, some teams may prefer to upgrade rosters through trades instead.
One team that many opponents are watching closely this winter is the Washington Nationals, who are coming off another poor year. Washington has been stuck in this state of mediocrity since the franchise won the World Series back in 2019, and something needs to change quickly.
The Nationals have a decent group of younger players on the roster, but they just haven’t shown enough to get this squad over the top. This could see the front office look to make some moves this offseason, potentially even trading away some of the better players on the roster.
One of those players could be left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who has been at the top of this starting rotation for a few years now. Gore was in rumors during the trade deadline this past season, so we could see the Nationals look to reignite those discussions.
Gore is coming off a decent year, making 30 starts for the Nationals, while putting up an ERA of 4.17. The left-hander struck out 185 batters over 159.2 innings of work as well, while also posting a WHIP of 1.35.
The biggest issue with Gore is that he is immensely talented, but he has proven to be blown up by other teams on the mound. His stuff can be eclectic, but from start to start, you never really know what you’ll get from him.
However, if he could go to a team that could maximize his talents, Gore could become the bona fide ace that many have been expecting him to turn into. But Washington will likely set a high asking price to move him, especially considering that he has a few more years of team control on his current contract.
More MLB Content From TWSN:
No, The Los Angeles Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball
The Dream Free Agent Signing For Every MLB Team
Top 5 World Series Game 7s of All Time
MacKenzie Gore Traded to San Francisco Giants
One team that could look to make a run at someone like Gore this offseason is the San Francisco Giants. San Francisco has seen better days, and after all the success that their rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have seen, the team needs to make some additions.
Giants president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, has already said that he wants to prioritize adding pitching help to this team. Since San Francisco has had some trouble recruiting free agents to town in recent years, the trade route may be the better way to go.
Putting Gore into this starting rotation alongside Logan Webb and Robbie Ray could give San Francisco one of the deepest units in the league. Gore could learn from some of the more veteran guys on the roster, and it could help his career.
The Giants have been strong in developing pitching talent over the years, and Gore could be next in line for this team to maximize. Overall, the Giants have the pieces to add, and Gore could be a real help to this team moving forward.