The Baltimore Orioles are a very interesting team to follow as MLB’s hot stove season progresses. They’ve already made one meaningful trade by sending Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in exchange for Taylor Ward. Mike Elias has also indicated that the Orioles will be more aggressive this offseason, and starting pitching remains atop the organization’s wishlist heading into 2026
The Orioles could go about adding starting pitching in a couple of different ways. The first option is adding arms via the free agent market, but the starting pitcher market is very front-loaded, which means Baltimore could also target a starter via a trade with a club that intends on selling its valuable pieces. One name that has floated around trade rumors is Washington Nationals‘ starter, MacKenzie Gore.
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Orioles-Nationals Trade Idea Lands MacKenzie Gore
At this very moment, it’s unlikely that MacKenzie Gore and the Washington Nationals are going to reach a contract extension. If Washington is going to be frugal with its money, trading Gore seems like a logical option before having to pay him.
In a recent trade proposal by Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, the Baltimore Orioles are predicted to make a big splash trade for MacKenzie Gore.
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in game two of a split doubleheader at Nationals Park on September 16, 2025 in Washington, DC.
In the proposed deal, the Orioles give up quite a lot of capital, including Cade Povich, Dylan Beavers, Esteban Mejia, and Trey Gibson.
Baltimore has a clear need for another starter, and if Mike Elias and company don’t foresee Povich being a part of the future, then now is the time to move on. Tyler Rogers and Kyle Bradish are the clear top rotation options for the Orioles, but adding Gore would be a huge boost to the entire staff.
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What Value Does MacKenzie Gore Bring?
MacKenzie Gore is coming off one of his best seasons as a professional. In 2025, he posted a 4.17 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 159.2 innings. That marks two seasons in a row of a very productive season out of Gore. In 2024, he posted a 3.90 ERA in 166.1 innings. He’s made 62 starts over the past two seasons.
The 26-year-old starter is arbitration-eligible through 2027, which would give the Orioles two years of team control before deciding what to do with Gore during his free agency offseason.
According to BaseballReference.com, Gore is projected to post a 4.10 ERA over 156 innings in 2026.
MacKenzie Gore is going to be the most intriguing starter to follow during this hot stove season, as many MLB teams are surely going to show interest in him over the next couple of months.
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