The MLB offseason has been anything but predictable this winter, with the hot stove heating up in bursts. The Tampa Bay Rays kicked things off with a pair of notable trades, and the Chicago White Sox shook up the weekend by landing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami in a surprise move. Across the AL East, most teams have made aggressive plays to improve-but one of the division’s powerhouses has been noticeably quiet: the New York Yankees.
After another October without a World Series trophy, the Yankees have made only a few modest moves. They brought back infielder Amed Rosario and reliever Paul Blackburn and made their first Rule 5 Draft selection in 14 years, taking a flier on right-hander Cade Winquest from the Cardinals’ system. These are depth moves, not blockbusters, and they leave one thing abundantly clear: if the Yankees want to contend in 2026, they’ve got serious work to do-especially on the mound.
The bullpen has taken a hit. Devin Williams and Luke Weaver both crossed over to Queens to join the Mets, leaving a pair of high-leverage holes that Blackburn and Winquest will be asked to help fill.
That’s a big ask, especially for Winquest, who’s yet to throw a pitch in the majors. Meanwhile, the rotation is in a holding pattern.
Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and possibly Clarke Schmidt are all working their way back, and while there’s optimism around their returns, the Yankees can’t afford to wait and hope. They need reinforcements now.
That brings us to the trade market-and specifically, to a name that should be flashing in neon on Brian Cashman’s radar: MacKenzie Gore.
The 26-year-old lefty just wrapped up a season with the Nationals that might not jump off the stat sheet at first glance, but look a little deeper, and you see a pitcher on the verge of something bigger. Gore made 30 starts in 2025, throwing 159.2 innings with a 4.17 ERA and 185 strikeouts-tops on the team. His 5-15 record says more about Washington’s struggles than his own performance.
What stands out is how Gore evolved over the course of the season. He showcased a five-pitch mix, anchored by a fastball that gained life as the year went on.
His slider, in particular, turned into a legitimate weapon-tight, late-breaking, and tough on both lefties and righties. Add in a curveball, changeup, and cutter, and you’ve got a young arm with both the repertoire and the ceiling to become a frontline starter.
In New York, under the bright lights and with a contending roster behind him, Gore could take that next leap. He’s not just a stopgap-he’s a potential long-term piece, even if he’s only under team control for two more seasons. But that control, plus his upside, means he won’t come cheap.
The Nationals, now under the leadership of president of baseball operations Paul Toboni and GM Ani Kilambi, are focused on rebuilding. Gore is one of their most valuable trade chips, and they’ll be looking for a return that jumpstarts their farm system. Fortunately, the Yankees have the kind of prospect capital to make something happen.
A deal would likely start with pitching prospects-names like Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, Bryce Cunningham, and Ben Hess are all on the radar. George Lombard Jr., New York’s top prospect, is reportedly off the table, but outfielder Spencer Jones and shortstop Dax Kilby could be in play. A package built around Lagrange, Hess, Kilby, and a returning Chase Hampton might feel like an overpay-but if the Yankees are serious about ending their World Series drought, it might be the kind of move they have to make.
This is the kind of calculated gamble that defines championship teams. MacKenzie Gore isn’t a proven ace yet-but he’s close.
And if the Yankees believe their window is open, now’s the time to push the chips in. Because in the Bronx, expectations don’t wait.