Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore To Rangers In Five-Prospect Blockbuster

The baseball world was rocked on January 22, 2026, as the Washington Nationals pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal, sending All-Star left-handed starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a haul of five prospects. This trade, confirmed by league sources and reported widely across major outlets, marks a significant shift for both franchises—one looking to bolster its rotation for a playoff push, the other deepening its farm system in a bid to rebuild for the future.

For months, speculation swirled around Gore’s future in Washington. Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni made it clear early in the offseason that Gore was available but only if another team met the organization’s steep asking price. As reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman, that price was finally met by the Rangers, who had been actively seeking a proven arm to strengthen their starting rotation. Other teams, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles, had been linked to Gore, but it was Texas that ultimately landed the southpaw.

Gore, who turns 27 next month, has had a winding journey to this point. Drafted third overall in 2017 by the San Diego Padres out of Whiteville High School in North Carolina, he quickly became a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball. His ascent, however, was not without bumps—struggles at Triple-A, blister issues, and inconsistent performance in 2021 saw his star dim slightly. Yet, Gore rebounded, making 13 starts and three relief appearances in the majors in 2022 before being shipped to Washington as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade.

Since donning a Nationals uniform, Gore has been a workhorse. From 2023 through 2025, he made 89 starts, logging 469.1 innings with a 4.15 ERA, 517 strikeouts, 186 walks, and 62 home runs allowed. The 2025 campaign showcased both his promise and his pitfalls: he posted a stellar 3.02 ERA over 19 starts in the first half, striking out 138 batters, and earned his first career All-Star appearance. But injuries crept in—a shoulder issue sidelined him in August, and an ankle injury in September ended his season prematurely. Still, scouts noted an uptick in his velocity and movement, which kept his value high as the offseason began.

"We weren’t going to move MacKenzie unless the return fit our vision for the future," Toboni emphasized in statements to the press. The Nationals, facing another rebuild, saw an opportunity to capitalize on a thin free-agent pitching market and add controllable talent. In the end, they opted for a quantity-over-quality approach, securing five prospects from the Rangers rather than holding out for a single top-50 name.

Headlining the return is Gavin Fien, a 2025 first-rounder out of Great Oak High in California. Selected 12th overall by Texas, Fien was ranked as a top draft prospect by analysts like Keith Law and is expected to shift from shortstop to third base as a professional. Scouts rave about his advanced bat speed and plate discipline, noting that his unorthodox swing has nonetheless produced consistent contact and power. While Fien isn’t yet a consensus top-100 prospect, a strong 2026 campaign could change that narrative in a hurry.

Joining Fien are right-handed pitcher Alejandro Rosario, infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald, first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz, and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera. Rosario, a 2023 fifth-round pick, was once a top-100 prospect thanks to his electric arm but saw his stock drop after a torn UCL sidelined him for all of 2025. He underwent Tommy John surgery on January 13, 2026, and is expected to miss the entire season. If he returns to his pre-injury form, Rosario could be a steal for Washington.

Fitz-Gerald, a switch-hitting second baseman, was the Rangers’ fifth-round pick in 2024. Evaluators, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan, have praised his blend of contact and power, though his defensive profile remains a work in progress. Fitz-Gerald earned a promotion to Hickory during the 2025 season after impressing in the Arizona Complex League.

Abimelec Ortiz, a squat 5’10”, 230-pound slugger, is coming off a monster minor league season in which he belted 25 home runs. While his future may be limited to first base or designated hitter, Ortiz’s bat-to-ball skills and raw power give him a legitimate shot at carving out a role in the majors.

Rounding out the package is 20-year-old Yeremy Cabrera, a speedy outfielder who turned heads in 2024 after signing for just $10,000 internationally. Cabrera spent the 2025 season at Hickory, slashing .256/.364/.366 with 43 stolen bases. While he’s considered more of a lottery ticket, his speed and developing power make him an intriguing addition to the Nationals’ system.

For the Rangers, this trade is all about the present. With Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi anchoring the rotation—Eovaldi posted a career-best 1.73 ERA over 22 starts last season before a rotator cuff strain ended his year—Gore is expected to slot into the middle of the staff alongside young flamethrower Jack Leiter. Texas has made it clear they’re all-in for 2026, and adding a durable, high-upside lefty like Gore could be the missing piece in their quest to dominate the American League West.

As for the Nationals, the decision to prioritize depth over a singular top-tier talent is a gamble—one that only time will judge. "Toboni decided to do something different, which is a bit of a gamble. However, it is one that could pay off in a big way," one analysis noted. The hope is that by casting a wider net, Washington increases its odds of finding contributors for the next competitive window, even if none of the five prospects is a sure thing.

Trade reactions have been mixed. Some fans lament the lack of a headline-grabbing prospect, while others appreciate the infusion of young talent and the flexibility it provides. The Nationals’ front office, still adjusting after a major overhaul, is betting that this approach will yield dividends as they try to climb back into contention.

Meanwhile, the Rangers are banking on Gore’s health and continued development to solidify a rotation that, when healthy, could be among the league’s best. If Gore recaptures his All-Star form and stays on the mound, Texas may look back on this swap as the move that pushed them over the top.

As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on how these new faces settle in with their respective clubs. Will Gore thrive in Arlington and help lead the Rangers back to October glory? Or will one of the Nationals’ new prospects emerge as a future star in the nation’s capital? For now, the baseball world waits—and watches.