The Washington Nationals' tune hasn't changed when it comes to starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, but that hasn't stopped outlets from making their predictions ahead of the 2026 season.
The Washington Nationals were able to move quickly to add a trio of hopeful additions to the 2026 roster, adding both Trevor Gott and Zach Penrod to the potential bullpen, though Tuesday's deal marked the lone infielder among the latest additions. Of course, the biggest question mark that has drawn the biggest headlines across the league is what the front office will do with starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, and until president of baseball operations Paul Toboni shifts his tone from Winter Meetings when he acknowledged the heavy interest in the Nationals' likely Opening Day starter, the speculation continues into the start of the team's supplemental training camp.
CBS Sports ranked Gore as the third-highest trade candidate in their updated offseason review, behind Tigers' pitcher Tarik Skubal and Brewers' pitcher Freddy Peralta. While the outlet is in line with the reported belief that Skubal and the Tigers are expected to settle to remain with the organization, CBS Sports predicted Peralta will be on the move to the New York Mets. As for Gore, they predicted he lands with the other New York team in the Yankees, though cautioning "any numbers of teams would make sense for him" depending on how the rest of the starting pitching market materializes ahead of Opening Day.
This isn't the first time that the Yankees have been mentioned after reports emerged two weeks ago that the team "had discussions" about Gore's availability, the latest team to be linked in an offseason filled with reports of much of the same.
MLB Trade Rumors pointed to the Nationals' continued asking price as reason why an offseason trade is not expected to materialize with Gore still under team control for two more seasons and a chance to re-evaluate ahead of the trade deadline.
ESPN pointed to a potential split with Gore as "the next significant move" for the front office before later noting that moving shortstop CJ Abrams, who Toboni previously expressed skepticism about when asked during Winter Meetings, is "another possibility."
But with a quiet offseason, the Nationals have been linked to another possible free agent acquisition ahead of spring training with first baseman Rhys Hoskins reportedly still in the mix for a one-year deal in a move that would address a key question mark for first-year manager Blake Butera if it does materialize.
ESPN also took a look around the NL East and noted catcher Harry Ford, who will look to dethrone Keibert Ruiz in 2026, as the key addition of the Nationals' offseason. But the offseason rating of a '3' - which translates to 'we'll judge their winter on where it goes from here' - reflects the wait-and-see approach for Washington ahead of the 2026 season as they look to eclipse last season's win total of 66.
In 2025, Gore finished third on the team in innings pitched, leading the club and 22nd across the MLB while setting career-highs with 185 strikeouts along with finishing 5-15 in 30 games with a 4.17 ERA and 64 walks.