The Chicago Cubs are one of the teams expected to be active at the trade deadline, which is just 10 days away. Chicago is reportedly in the market for a starting pitcher and a bat on the left side of the infield.
Chicago is in the middle of a tight division race against the hottest team in baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have won 10 consecutive games and are now tied with the Cubs for first place in the National League Central. The recent hot stretch by Milwaukee may cause some pressure to be put on the Cubs’ front office to make a couple of big splashes at the trade deadline. Chicago has one of the best lineups in baseball, which has been extremely productive this season, but the starting pitching is starting to falter a bit.
For the Washington Nationals, who sit in the cellar of the NL East, they may be headed towards selling, and a big-time starter could be getting the attention of a lot of contending clubs.
Blockbuster Trade Idea Sends Mackenzie Gore to Chicago
As of this week, a lot of teams are reportedly making calls on the Washington Nationals’ lone 2025 All-Star, Mackenzie Gore. Rumors swirl from all angles at this time of year, but MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that teams are “eyeing” Gore and checking in with the Nationals about his availability.
Here is what Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report writes about Gore’s trade potential:
“The 26-year-old is in the midst of a breakout year in Washington, as he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. Despite Gore’s 4-9 record in 20 starts, he owns a 3.59 ERA and 1.269 WHIP. He’s also averaging a career-high 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings.”
“The reported interest from opposing teams likely also stems from his promising career trajectory, as his ERA has decreased during each of his four years in the majors. While the Nationals sit at the bottom of the National League East standings with a 39-60 record, they could be hesitant to move Gore with two years of team control left on his contract before he’s slated to hit unrestricted free agency in 2028.”
Cubs Should Inquire About Gore
While the Chicago Cubs may be in more desperate need of a right-starter, their rotation in general could use another frontline arm. Jameson Taillon recently got sent to the Injured List, and aside from Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd, their rotation thins out after that.
Now, as Bachar outlined, Gore is controllable until 2028, so if the Washington Nationals were to deal him, they would ask for a hefty return package for pretty much their best pitcher. A deal for Gore would likely cost the Cubs their young starter Cade Horton, catcher Miguel Amaya, and prospects Kevin Alcántara and Brandon Birsdell. Even this package of young players/prospects may not be enough. However, as we’ve seen already this trade deadline season with Rafael Devers being moved, anything can happen, and different front office members value players differently.
A deal for Gore easily makes the Cubs’ rotation one of the best in the sport and makes them legit World Series contenders. In such a tight division race, expect Chicago to make a splash or two as they still have NL Central division winner aspirations.
Cubs Trade Idea Lands Nationals’ All-Star Southpaw