The Texas Rangers have made a significant move by acquiring All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore in a recent trade with the Washington Nationals. The deal, confirmed by sources, involves five players moving to the Nationals.
Details of the Trade
The Nationals will receive several prospects, including:
- Gavin Fien, third baseman and No. 12 overall pick from last year’s draft
- Alejandro Rosario, right-handed pitcher
- Abimelec Ortiz, first baseman
- Devin Fitz-Gerald, shortstop
- Yeremy Cabrera, outfielder
MacKenzie Gore, with two years of team control remaining, is set to earn approximately $4.7 million in 2026. Despite his notable performance, Gore struggled in the latter half of the 2025 season, finishing with a 6.75 ERA.
Gore’s Performance History
In the 2025 season, Gore ended with a record of 5-15 and an ERA of 4.17, achieving 185 strikeouts over 159 2/3 innings. He was a highly anticipated player, drafted third overall in 2017. However, his big league success only came in 2024.
Over the past two years, Gore has shown promise and ranks 23rd among pitchers in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Yet, he has not yet reached the status of a frontline starter as many expected.
Pitching Strategy
Gore’s pitching profile includes a heavy reliance on specific pitches. He throws at least 80% fastball and slider to left-handed hitters, and uses a fastball and curveball combination for righties. Developing an additional reliable pitch could be crucial for his career advancement.
This trade marks a bold step by the Texas Rangers as they aim to strengthen their pitching rotation with MacKenzie Gore’s talents.
