Forget the mega-deal. A young lefty offers rotation help and preserves prospects, a smarter winter trade for the Mets.
The New York Mets will have their eyes on the trade market this winter, specifically in search of starting pitching help in hopes of rebuilding a rotation that collapsed extraordinarily at the tail end of 2025.
They’ve already been linked and even viewed as frontrunners for Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal if the Detroit Tigers decide to trade him this offseason. Landing Skubal would be the ideal addition for the Mets, but the price may end up being too hefty to pay. Not only would trading for Skubal require New York to deal multiple top prospects, but it would also be heavily reliant on its ability to sign Skubal to a massive deal that could make history for pitchers.
It’s not out of the question that Skubal could require a $400 million contract if he lands on a new team, especially the Mets. With owner Steve Cohen’s spending history, New York seems the most likely club to give Skubal his desired money. While there’s no question of Skubal’s ability on the mound, there is a question of whether New York could make an alternative move that isn’t so drastic while still providing a much-needed boost to the rotation.
There are multiple other starting arms available in free agency and on the trade market that could help New York’s chances at returning to the postseason in 2026, and the left-handed Mackenzie Gore could be the best of the bunch.
Gore has spent four seasons in the MLB, the last three of which with the Washington Nationals. In the nation’s capital, Gore has thrown 462 ⅓ innings of 4.15 ERA baseball. Last season, Gore earned his first All-Star appearance and posted a 4.17 ERA. It’s good numbers, but they may not exactly jump off the page at first glance.
Looking a little deeper, it’s easier to see Gore’s potential. He started 2025 on fire and was a contender for the Cy Young award. In his first 19 starts, he held opposing lineups to a 3.02 ERA and struck out 138 batters in 110 1/3 innings. His numbers took a hit after getting hit around badly in a few starts, but he showed the pitcher he is capable of being over a few months.
Dealing for Gore would allow the Mets to get an instant upgrade in their rotation while allowing them to keep valuable assets to use to fill in other areas of need on the roster. Gore is still under team control for another two seasons, meaning the Mets wouldn’t have to commit to such a large sum of money for Gore until later down the line.
If the Mets want to make a big splash in the trade market, it doesn’t exactly mean it has to be the biggest splash possible. Landing Skubal would be great, but it could hinder the Mets far too much than if they were to lower their ambition and go for a guy like Gore. Whoever it may be, it seems certain that there will be a splash this offseason that brings in a big starting pitcher name.