Both the Cleveland Guardians and Washington Nationals are officially in offseason mode. The Guardians made a heroic comeback in the AL Central to end up winning the division, but we’re ultimately eliminated in the Wild Card round.
As for the Nationals, they were uncompetitive for a fifth consecutive season and continue to search for a new manager ahead of the 2026 season.
There were rumors that Nationals’ starter Mackenzie Gore would be on the move near the 2025 trade deadline back in July, but he ended up staying put. However, now that hot stove season is approaching once again, Gore’s name has popped back up in rumors.
National’s Mackenzie Gore linked to Cleveland Guardians in potential trade
In a recent trade predictions piece by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, Mackenzie Gore is named as a ‘prime target’ for the Cleveland Guardians via a trade:
“Cleveland Guardians: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Washington’s MacKenzie Gore (Arbitration-Eligible Through 2027)”
The Guardians are going to be in contention in the AL Central for years to come as long as they hold onto Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez, and Gavin Williams.
However, trading for southpaw Mackenzie Gore would add a lefty presence in the starting rotation, as he would be a great second or third option.
Gore made 30 starts this season, and posted a 4.17 ERA in 159.2 innings pitched, and struck out 185 batters. Those 185 strikeouts were a career-high for Gore, who was also named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career.
The Guardians are one of those teams that have proven to turn some players around in their career, and that’s not to say Gore needs to change anything, but Cleveland’s organization may be able to unlock something Washington couldn’t, and that 4.17 ERA that Gore posted could be deflated if that’s the case.
Cleveland has proved to be active in the trade market as well, as last offseason, they traded away Josh Naylor for Slade Cecconi, who ended up being a quality rotation option.
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