The Boston Red Sox have already made one franchise-altering move this summer, trading away Rafael Devers. Despite that fire sale signal, the team has won 10 of their last 11 and surged into the postseason conversation. Buying at the deadline is back on the table, and Bleacher Report sees a bold path forward: trade for Washington Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore.
According to B/R’s Zachary D. Rymer, Boston is the top landing spot for the 26-year-old lefty, named an All-Star this season, and carries a 3.02 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 19 starts. Gore doesn’t come cheap. Per Baseball Trade Values, his projected surplus is a massive $77.9 million, and he’s under team control through 2027. But Reuter’s proposed trade package offers Washington three pieces: right fielder Wilyer Abreu, top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias (No. 2 in Boston’s system), and hot left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle (No. 4).
If Nationals GM Mike Rizzo were still in charge, maybe this wouldn’t be on the table. But with a new front office cleaning up the post-Juan Soto rebuild mess, flipping Gore for near-MLB-ready talent would give the franchise a jumpstart.
Why the Fit Makes Sense for Both Sides
The Red Sox are desperate for rotation stability behind Garrett Crochet. Gore would instantly slot into the No. 2 role—and perhaps eventually take over as the ace. He’s young, controllable, and finally delivering on the hype that made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2017. Gore has become one of the game’s most effective left-handers with a 3.92 ERA last season and an elite K/BB ratio this year (138/35).
Meanwhile, the Nationals are still years away from true contention. Since 2020, only the Rockies have lost more games. And their farm system ranks in the bottom 10, according to Bleacher Report. Gore’s arbitration window runs out after 2027—there’s no guarantee he’ll still be around when the Nats are ready to win again. That makes him a trade chip, and Boston has the kind of controllable talent to help Washington reset.
Under team control through 2029, Abreu offers the Nationals a young, everyday outfielder with upside. Arias, a consensus top-100 shortstop prospect, adds middle-infield depth to a thin system on impact bats. And Tolle, a rising lefty, has the tools to become a mid-rotation arm within a couple of seasons.
Boston Has the Motivation—And the Capital—to Swing Big
What separates Boston from other suitors is the urgency to win now. After backpedaling from full rebuild mode, the Red Sox are buyers again. And if they can’t pry Joe Ryan from the Twins—who, per FanSided’s Robert Murray, aren’t discussing any deals for their ace—Gore may be their next-best option.
The cost will be steep, but the rotation upgrade is clear. Triston Casas is out for the year, and Reuter’s proposal even includes first baseman Nathaniel Lowe joining Boston in the same deal. That’s a two-position boost at the deadline, and precisely the kind of aggressive move that could tip the AL Wild Card race.
Gore may not be the most talked-about name yet, but if Washington is genuinely open for business, don’t be surprised if Boston leads the bidding.
Red Sox Named Top Landing Spot for Ace in Blockbuster Proposal