As the Boston Red Sox presumably seek another impact starting pitcher, they’ve been linked to free agents like Framber Valdez, as well as potential trade targets like Freddy Peralta and Joe Ryan.

All three of those guys are either certified aces or certified No. 2 starters, but the Red Sox would be prudent to keep an eye on the market for No. 3’s, as well, especially when it comes to younger, high-upside arms with a chance to become a No. 2 or more.

At 26 years old and already with an All-Star berth to his name, Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore fits into that category for the Red Sox, and what’s more, he’s available on the trade market. ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel revealed this week that the Nationals have had Gore trade talks with multiple teams this offseason.

“Teams expect Gore to be wearing a different uniform by the end of 2026,” Passan and McDaniel wrote. “They just aren’t sure whether a deal will happen now or at the trade deadline in July. New Washington president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has held discussions with multiple teams about Gore, but the ask is understandably high. Gore’s impending free agency after 2027 complicates things somewhat.”

Gore’s talent level has always been on the MLB radar. He was selected no lower than the third overall pick in the 2017 draft by the San Diego Padres, and he debuted with the Padres in 2022, posting a 4.50 ERA over 70 innings before a trade to the Nationals.

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In Washington, Gore evolved into a strikeout machine. His 2023 season yielded 151 whiffs in 136 innings with a 4.42 ERA, followed by a career-best 2024: 10-12, 3.90 ERA, and 181 strikeouts across 166 innings.

Gore’s 2025 campaign started strong, with a Nationals-record 13 strikeouts on Opening Day and a 3.02 ERA through 19 starts, earning his first All-Star nod on July 6. He reached 100 strikeouts first league-wide on May 29 and hit 500 career Ks at age 26.

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Inconsistency struck post-All-Star break for Gore, inflating his ERA to 4.17 over 30 starts (5-15, 185 strikeouts in 159.2 innings). A right ankle impingement sidelined him in late September, ending the year.