Yanks Interested in MacKenzie Gore

ORLANDO, FLA -- The New York Yankees and Washington Nationals have engaged in trade talks surrounding MacKenzie Gore, a source confirmed the report of the Washington Post.

While Gore's surface results in 2025 (a 5-15 record and a 4.17 ERA over 159.2 innings) weren't spectacular, his underlying performance metrics remain highly enticing to contending clubs.

Gore, who will turn 27 in February, still possesses the high-velocity, swing-and-miss stuff that made him a former top-five prospect. His 2025 season saw him post 185 strikeouts and an impressive 27.2% strikeout rate (or 10.4 K/9).

The key to his trade value lies in his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), which sat at a much stronger 3.74 for the year. This suggests that Gore pitched better than his ERA indicates, likely suffering from poor defense or bad luck on balls in play. An acquiring team believes a change of scenery and improved defense could unlock frontline starter performance.

MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

The timing of a potential Gore trade maximizes the return for the Nationals. The left-hander is entering the second-to-last year of his arbitration window, meaning an acquiring team would gain two full seasons of control, through the 2027 season.

Gore is projected to earn a highly manageable salary, estimated at around $4.7 million for 2026, with a slight raise expected in 2027. This cost-controlled production is priceless to teams looking to maximize their payroll flexibility while adding a high-quality starter.

As a Scott Boras client, Gore is unlikely to sign an extension, which removes the pressure on the Nationals to commit long-term. Trading him now -- while his control is lengthy and his underlying metrics are strong -- is the logical move to maximize the return on investment for the new front office.