The Chicago Cubs are said to be on the hunt for starting pitching, but you would never know it from their lack of activity on the market.
Perhaps the Cubs aren’t supremely interested in any of the free-agent hurlers available, which could indicate that a trade may be on the horizon.
There are a handful of arms rumored to be on the block this winter, and while Milwaukee Brewers star Freddy Peralta would almost certainly be off limits to Chicago, there are some pivots the Cubs can make.
One potential option is Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who is said to be available with two years of club control remaining.
In fact, Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib has proposed a trade in which the Cubs would land Gore for three players, two of which are top five prospects in Chicago’s system.
Would the Chicago Cubs trade this much for MacKenzie Gore?
Jul 30, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Misener’s proposal has the Cubs sending pitcher Ben Brown, catcher Moises Ballesteros and outfielder Kevin Alcantara to the Nationals in exchange for Gore, who made his first All-Star appearance this past season.
But would Chicago really surrender that much talent for a mostly unproven pitcher?
While Gore did make it to the Midsummer Classic in 2025, he logged a 4.17 ERA and 1.353 WHIP. Yes, he averaged a robust 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, but his control issues (3.6 BB/9) were a bit problematic, especially down the stretch when the 26-year-old posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.703 WHIP over his final 11 starts.
Ballesteros — who looked impressive in 20 games with the Cubs’ big-league squad this past year — is the second-ranked prospect in Chicago’s system. Alcantara, meanwhile, is No. 5.
That is an awful lot to give up for a pitcher with a lifetime 4.19 ERA and 1.401 WHIP over four major-league campaigns.
The Cubs definitely need a pitcher. That much is true, and Gore would be an intriguing target based on his potential. But perhaps Chicago would be able to pry the left-hander away from Washington without having to cough up a pair of its top five young talents?
Unfortunately for the Cubs, Gore is one of the best options available. The Nationals know this, so they have leverage here.
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