As the Boston Red Sox continue to explore ways to solidify their starting rotation, the front office is reportedly casting a wide net. Big names like Framber Valdez have surfaced in free agency discussions, and trade targets such as Freddy Peralta and Joe Ryan have been mentioned as well.
Those are high-caliber arms - frontline starters capable of anchoring a rotation. But if Boston wants to build a sustainable staff, it’s not just about chasing aces.
There’s real value in targeting young, controllable pitchers with upside - especially those who’ve already flashed top-tier potential.
Enter MacKenzie Gore.
The 26-year-old left-hander from the Washington Nationals is emerging as a name to watch. Not only does he check the box as a former top prospect with electric stuff, but he’s also reportedly available.
According to recent reports, the Nationals have had trade conversations involving Gore with multiple clubs this offseason. While a deal may not be imminent, the buzz is real - and teams around the league believe Gore could be wearing a different uniform by the end of 2026.
The Nationals aren’t in a rush to move him, and understandably so. Gore isn’t a rental - he’s under team control through the 2027 season.
That kind of long-term value, combined with his age and upside, makes the asking price steep. But for a team like Boston, which is looking to thread the needle between contending now and building for the future, Gore could be exactly the kind of arm worth betting on.
Let’s talk about what makes him so intriguing.
Gore’s name has been known in baseball circles since he was taken third overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He made his big-league debut in 2022, logging 70 innings with a 4.50 ERA before being dealt to Washington as part of a blockbuster trade. Since arriving in D.C., Gore has steadily developed into a high-strikeout, high-ceiling starter.
In 2023, he racked up 151 strikeouts over 136 innings with a 4.42 ERA - solid numbers that hinted at more to come. Then came 2024, and Gore took a clear step forward. He posted a 3.90 ERA over 166 innings, struck out 181 batters, and showed signs of becoming the kind of pitcher who can dominate a lineup when he’s locked in.
This past season, he made it clear he’s not just a project - he’s a potential difference-maker. Gore opened 2025 with a bang, setting a Nationals franchise record with 13 strikeouts on Opening Day.
Through his first 19 starts, he carried a 3.02 ERA and earned his first All-Star selection on July 6. By the end of May, he was the first pitcher in the league to reach 100 strikeouts and later crossed the 500 career strikeout mark - all by age 26.
That’s the kind of trajectory that makes front offices take notice. Gore isn’t just a mid-rotation piece - he’s a lefty with the stuff and pedigree to pitch like a No. 2, maybe even more, if everything clicks. His fastball has life, his breaking ball generates swings and misses, and he’s shown he can carry the workload of a full season.
Of course, acquiring him won’t be cheap. The Nationals’ new president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni, is reportedly fielding offers but holding firm on a high asking price.
That’s to be expected. Gore’s combination of age, performance, and team control makes him one of the more valuable arms potentially available this winter.
For the Red Sox, the question is whether they’re ready to part with the kind of prospect capital it would take to land him. But if they’re serious about building a rotation that can compete in the AL East - not just next year, but for years to come - Gore is the kind of arm who could be worth the investment.
He’s not a finished product, but he’s trending in the right direction. And in today’s game, where finding young, strikeout-heavy starters with upside and years of control is like striking gold, Gore might just be one of the most intriguing names on the market this offseason.