Although the New York Yankees haven’t done much this offseason in terms of upgrading their pitching staff, MLB’s hot stove season still has plenty of time remaining for the Yankees to make a big splash or two.
New York has a bigger starting pitcher need than most MLB teams and all other AL East foes, when you consider they will be without Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to start the 2026 season. However, a recent trade pitch has the Yankees making a big splash for Washington Nationals‘ All-Star starter MacKenzie Gore.
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Bleacher Report Names Yankees As Best MacKenzie Gore Landing Spot
The Washington Nationals are under a new regime with Paul Toboni being the top dog in the front office. Trade rumors surrounding MacKenzie Gore and CJ Abrams have been persistent this offseason, and it’s because of both players’ youth, production level at such a young age, and controllable contracts.
Three things that the Yankees could benefit from if they swing a massive offseason trade.
Bleacher Report recently named the Yankees as the top landing spot for top trade target MacKenzie Gore:
GettyMacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals
“Trading for Gore would give the Yankees a pitcher that’s made at least 30 starts in consecutive seasons. He did struggle after the All-Star Break, but the pitcher who posted a 3.02 ERA over 19 first-half starts looked like a top-of-the-rotation arm. Gore could benefit from going to a contending organization that might help to unlock his ace potential on a more consistent basis.”
The Yankees would be one of many teams that could be in on Gore, but they have prospect/young tradeable assets that might be able to make a deal work.
MacKenzie Gore’s Production/Yankees’ Rotation Options
Despite the prolonged rehab process, which will likely see Cole and Rodon miss parts of the 2026 season, New York does still have a handful of reliable starters as options.
Max Fried is fresh off a season where he finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting, Cam Schlittler will continue to develop, and the Yankees hope to get a stronger effort from Luis Gil to stay on the field and pitch meaningful innings.
Will Warren also has the potential to grow into a strong innings-eater for the Yankees in 2026.
However, trading for Gore would make New York one of the best rotations in the sport when all healthy. Gore was named to the All-Star team for the first time back in July.
In 532.1 innings over four MLB seasons, Gore has a 4.19 ERA and 589 strikeouts.
The Bleacher Report article didn’t indicate a trade package for what it would take to land MacKenzie Gore, but New York would likely have to make a decision on a prospect or two, and an MLB-level player like Jasson Dominguez or Anthony Volpe.
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