The MLB offseason has hit overdrive this week, with the Texas Rangers being the latest team to make a big move.
On Thursday afternoon, the Rangers reportedly agreed to acquire left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals in exchange for five prospects. Gore made his first All-Star Game in 2025 and has posted ERAs of 4.50 or better in each of his first four MLB seasons.
At 26, Gore is still young and has room to grow, adding youth to the Rangers' rotation. On the other side, the Nationals continue their rebuild with another significant move.
Here’s a look at how both teams fared in this deal.
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MacKenzie Gore trade details
Rangers receive:
- LHP MacKenzie Gore
Nationals receive:
- SS Gavin Fien
- RHP Alejandro Rosario
- IF Devin Fitz-Gerald
- OF Yeremy Cabrera
- 1B Abimelic Ortiz
Rangers trade grade
Gore is coming off of his first All-Star season, when he produced a 4.17 ERA in 30 games, and immediately slots into the top of the Rangers rotation. Texas adds the lefty to a group full of righties, which includes Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter.
However, the Rangers' issues in 2025 were more on offense than on the pitching side, and this deal doesn't address their offensive needs. Texas finished last year in the bottom third of the league in runs scored, and so far this season have added just Brandon Nimmo and Danny Jansen, while trading away Marcus Semien.
Therefore, giving up five players of the Rangers' top 20 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, is a lot for a team that didn't need to add pitching. Of course, Gore will help Texas in 2026 as they try to return to the playoffs, and none of the five prospects are in the top 100 rankings heading into the 2026 season.
The Rangers get Gore for two years before he hits free agency, which lines up with the contracts for both deGrom and Eovaldi. That will give Texas a very clear-cut window to win with this rotation.
Grade: C+
Nationals trade grade
The Nationals’ rebuild continues with the sale of Gore, who will be a free agent before Washington is expected to be competitive again.
Headlining the deal is shortstop prospect Gavin Fien, the 12th pick in the 2025 MLB draft, who is just 18 years old. The Nationals also added four more quality prospects, none of whom are in MLB Pipeline's top 100, signaling a quantity-over-quality approach in the deal.
The Nationals simply need more talent in their system, and this trade delivers that. Washington enters 2026 with a new manager and general manager, making this deal another sign of a new era in Nationals baseball.
This trade also connects to the Juan Soto deal, as Gore was a key piece of Washington sending Soto to the San Diego Padres in 2022. That deal also included star outfielder James Wood, shortstop C.J. Abrams, and outfielder Robert Hassell III, showing how one decision to trade Soto has helped fuel Washington’s ongoing rebuild.
Grade: A-
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