The New York Mets landed Juan Soto last offseason in one of the winter’s biggest moves, instantly creating one of baseball’s most potent lineups. But they essentially ignored their pitching staff.
That decision cost them a playoff spot.
Now they’re hunting for rotation help, and Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller thinks he’s found their answer: Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore.
Miller’s proposed deal is pretty straightforward:
Mets receive: LHP MacKenzie Gore
Nationals receive: RHP Jonah Tong, 1B/OF Ryan Clifford
Here’s the thing about Gore’s 2024 season – it looks worse on paper than it actually was. He finished with a 4.17 ERA, but that number got inflated by a brutal stretch mid-season.
“Extract that rough patch, and Gore otherwise had a 3.19 ERA. He also struck out at least 180 batters for a second consecutive year, which is something only eight other pitchers can boast,” Miller wrote.
The numbers back up Miller’s assessment. Gore struck out 185 batters with a 10.4 K/9 rate – that’s legitimate strikeout stuff. When he’s on, he’s got the kind of swing-and-miss ability that plays up in big moments.
What makes this appealing for the Mets is the cost factor. Gore’s still relatively affordable compared to what they’d face in free agency. Guys like Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez are going to command serious money, and the Mets already committed heavily to Soto’s massive contract.
From Washington’s perspective, they’re rebuilding and Gore’s entering his age-26 season. Trading him now could net them two prospects who fit their timeline better. Jonah Tong and Ryan Clifford aren’t household names, but they represent the kind of young talent the Nationals need to stockpile.
The way I see it, Gore could benefit from a change of scenery and maybe sliding back in the rotation behind a true ace. He’s shown flashes of dominance, and with some offseason adjustments, he could be exactly what the Mets need to complement their explosive offense.
It’s not a guarantee, but it’s the kind of calculated risk that could pay off big. The alternative is diving into a free agent market where every decent starter is going to cost a fortune.
