The Texas Rangers strengthened their pitching staff in a trade that sent five of their prospects to the Washington Nationals.
The Texas Rangers made a move to strengthen their starting rotation that falls into the philosophy of targeting upside with controllable players over short-term vet rentals. They were willing to give up five prospects to do it – including their No. 12 overall pick in the MLB draft, according to ESPN. In a five-for-one trade with the Washington Nationals, the Rangers are sending a handful of prospects, including 18-year-old third baseman Gavin Fien, in exchange for All-Star lefty Mackenzie Gore.
While they were willing to part with their top draft pick of last year, Texas will receive a former No. 3 overall pick who is seen as a starter with high upside. It also helps that he’s under team control for two more years and only stands to make an estimated $4.7 million in 2026. Gore is 26-41 with a 4.19 ERA over his four-year career and started out hot in the first half of the Nats’ 2025 campaign. He slumped a bit in the second half, ultimately going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 159.2 innings pitched over 30 starts. The Rangers are hoping his inconsistency settles and he can become closer to his potential shown in flashes.
Here is the full story from Rangers Roundtable writer Anthony Arroyo on the intriguing arm added to the rotation and what the move shows for Texas.
With Gore under control for two years, Texas will hope to develop the left-hander into a long-term starter but will still get immediate rotation help from the 26-year-old in their first big move of the offseason. Washington, for their part, are focused on depth and the future, and now have a necessary answer ahead of Opening Day. In exchange, the Nats will receive Fien, righty pitcher Alejandro Rosario, OF/1B Abimelec Ortiz, infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera.