The Texas Rangers are acquiring starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals in exchange for 5 prospects.
Headed back the other way are Gavin Fien, Alejandro Rosario, Abimelec Ortiz, Devin Fitz-Gerald and Yeremy Cabrera according to reports. The teams have yet to announce the deal as it is currently pending a physical.
Gore posted a 5-15 record in 2025 on a rebuilding Nats squad. The 26 year old recorded a 4.17 ERA, and 1.35 WHIP to go along with 185 strikeouts across 159.2IP. A 6’2″ lefty, Gore has a penchant for punch outs, but has also struggled with his control over his 4 year big league career.
In both 2024 and 2025 Gore led the Majors in wild pitches with 14 and 12 apiece. He also issued the 16th most walks at the MLB level last year despite pitching fewer innings than all but 3 of the hurlers ahead of him.
Nevertheless, the former 3rd overall pick from the 2017 MLB Draft became a first time All-Star last year, and was widely considered one of the top pitchers under team control available on the trade market. Gore is slated to make just $5.6M in 2026, and has more year of arbitration remaining beyond that.
The Wilmington, NC native started the year on a high, setting a Nationals franchise record with 13 strikeouts on Opening Day against the Phillies. With a 2.87 ERA and 108 strikeouts across his first 13 starts, Gore was looking like one of the top pitchers in the National League through the All-Star break.
Things took a stark turn from there in the second half of the season as he dealt with a right ankle injury and left shoulder inflammation which hampered his effectiveness down the stretch. A 1-7 record with a 6.75 ERA after the midsummer classic inflated his numbers and perhaps influenced Washington’s decision to move on from the former top prospect.
With a 5 pitch arsenal, headlined by a 95.3MPH fastball, Gore figures to solidify a Rangers rotation that will feature Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Jack Leiter and likely Jacob Latz as the 5th starter.
Meanwhile, Washington will restock their prospect cupboard with a sizeable haul for Gore. Shortstop Gavin Fien was the 12th overall pick in the 2025 Draft and the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline. They’ll also be getting RHP Alejandro Rosario (Texas’ No. 6 prospect), INF Devin Fitz-Gerald (No. 12), OF Yeremy Cabrera (No. 16) and 1B Abimelec Ortiz (No. 18).
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.