Texas Rangers Bolster Roster with MacKenzie Gore in Trade with Nationals
The Texas Rangers have strengthened their starting pitching staff by acquiring left-hander MacKenzie Gore in a trade with the Washington Nationals. In return, the Nationals receive a package of five prospects, led by shortstop Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick in the 2025 Draft.
In addition to Fien, considered the second-best prospect in the Texas organization, the Nationals incorporate right-hander Alejandro Rosario (No. 6 prospect), infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald (No. 12), outfielder Yeremy Cabrera (No. 16), and first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz (No. 18), significantly reinforcing their minor league system.
Gore, 26, was one of the most talked-about names in trade rumors since the 2025 Deadline, due to his status as a high-level starter still under contractual control. The lefty is entering the second of three years of salary arbitration, after earning US$2.89 million last season.
The pitcher was designated as the Opening Day starter for the Nationals in 2025, in what was his fourth season in the Major Leagues and the third with Washington, an organization he joined from the San Diego Padres as part of the trade that sent Dominican Juan Soto to California in 2022.
In a campaign with ups and downs for Washington, which ended with 96 losses, Gore recorded a 5-15 record and a 4.17 ERA in 30 starts, accumulating 159.2 innings pitched. His workload was slightly reduced by stints on the injured list due to discomfort in his right ankle and left shoulder.
The lefty started the year in spectacular fashion, setting a franchise record by striking out 13 batters on Opening Day against the Phillies. He closed the season with a career-high 185 strikeouts, ranking fourth among National League left-handers, in addition to recording 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, an improvement over the previous year.
During the first two months, Gore looked like a serious contender for the Cy Young Award, with an ERA of 2.87 and 108 strikeouts in his first 13 starts, a performance that earned him his first All-Star selection. However, injuries took their toll in the second half, a period in which he had a 1-7 record, an ERA of 6.75, and 47 strikeouts in 11 starts.
MacKenzie Gore has a repertoire of five pitches, led by a four-seam fastball that averaged 95.3 miles per hour last season, as well as a curveball, slider, changeup, and cutter. He was the third overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft by the San Diego Padres and was recognized as Gatorade Player of the Year that same year after excelling at Whiteville High School in North Carolina.
With this acquisition, the Rangers are betting on Gore’s talent and competitive ceiling, while the Nationals continue their rebuilding process by strengthening their young core for the future.
