It seems like the Boston Red Sox are going to be linked to every ace-level starting pitcher on the trade market this offseason. They need to find a Robin for Garrett Crochet's Batman this offseason. While that could come via free agency, the team's historical track record of not paying older pitchers, plus their pursuit of Joe Ryan at the trade deadline, make a trade the likelier option.
The most recent pitcher to be connected to the Sox is Washington Nationals breakout star MacKenzie Gore. MLB insider Jim Bowden linked the lefty to the Sox in his "10 MLB stars most likely to be traded this offseason" article for The Athletic. Gore, who will be 27 on Opening Day, excelled in the first half of 2025, posting a 3.02 ERA in 110 innings, while striking out 138 and walking just 35. He had a dramatic fall off after the All-Star Break with a 6.75 ERA in his last 11 games.
Gore has two years of team control remaining on his contract. The Nationals likely won't be contending in the next two seasons, and with lots of young talent that they might want to save money on for the future, it makes some sense to deal the lefty now and maximize value.
MLB insider Jim Bowden names Red Sox a top fit for a potential MacKenzie Gore trade with the Nationals
As previously stated, the Sox are going to be connected to a lot of pitchers this offseason, but a deal with the Nationals makes a lot of sense. Washington just hired former Red Sox assistant general manager Paul Toboni to be their head of baseball operations. Bowden thinks that could give Boston an advantage in the Gore chase.
"Toboni’s old team, the Red Sox, seem like a good place to start. He’s so familiar with Boston’s prospect cabinet that I’m sure he’d find a strong return even if he can’t land the team’s very best prospects in a trade," the former GM wrote.
The Nationals acquired Gore in the trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline. Now, after three and a half seasons in DC, Gore has yet to put it all together over a full season. He has shown flashes and stretches of brilliance, but a change of scenery might be what he needs to find the consistency to reach his full potential.
Boston could be the perfect place for him to do that. Their pitching staff, headed by Andrew Bailey, has shown the ability in just two seasons to help players grow quickly. The Sox also have the money to extend Gore past 2027 when he's set to become a free agent if he works out. While a trade for Gore may cost a lot, he has the stuff to make the perfect one-two with Crochet.