The Arizona Diamondbacks made a huge move when they traded for Nolan Arenado, but it still isn’t enough to contend with the dynasty in their division, the Los Angeles Dodgers. If they want to compete, the DBacks will need to make at least one more move.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman proposes that they go for a pitcher and make a trade for Washington Nationals All-Star MacKenzie Gore.
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The trade would look like this:
DBacks get: LHP MacKenzie Gore
Nationals get: INF Jordan Lawlar, OF Slade Caldwell (ARI No. 2 prospect), LHP Kohl Drake (ARI No. 6 prospect)
“Gore has had his ups and downs in his MLB career, but it's clear he has ace stuff. Yes, he has to pitch better in second halves, but the 26-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and is seemingly only getting better as he gains experience. Gore, a pitcher with immense upside and two full years of cheap club control would be a great fit in Arizona, but the same can be said for just about any contending team…If the Diamondbacks want to win now, this trade makes sense,” Rotman wrote.
This past season, Gore posted a 5-15 record, a 4.17 ERA, 185 Ks, and a 1.353 WHIP over 159 innings pitched. While these numbers seem undesirable except for Ks, keep in mind that he was on a non-contending Nats team. Put him on the DBacks, and his numbers could improve exponentially.
He would also be incredibly cheap. He just avoided arbitration for $5.6 million and has another year of control. For a mid-market team like Arizona, that should be very desirable.
Overall, Gore would be a perfect No. 2 to Corbin Burnes, who could mentor him. Hopefully, the DBacks consider this trade, as it could be their ticket to putting up a fight against the Dodgers.
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