Believe it or not, the Washington Nationals have been playing some solid baseball over the last week. With their victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, the team has now won consecutive series for the first time in what feels like forever, and have also won 4 of 6 games overall.
Heading into a huge week around baseball with the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline looming on Thursday, all eyes are on contending teams as we wait to see what moves they make to bolster their teams. On the flip side, teams like the Nationals will be selling off assets like Amed Rosario, who was dealt on Saturday night to the Yankees. But will the team look to deal one of their biggest available assets? Latest rumors suggest it might be possible.
That player, as indicated by the thumbnail, is ace lefty and 2025 All-Star MacKenzie Gore, who has been the subject of potential trade rumors. His availability in a potential trade has already been shot down by interim GM Mike DeBartolo, but others have indicated that the team's new GM might listen if someone meets his asking price, which is believed to be 'sky-high' similar to Juan Soto in 2022.
While a handful of teams have reportedly called on Gore, one team has stood out a lot more than the rest so far. That team would be the Chicago Cubs, who in theory could be a fantastic trading partner for the Nationals due to their young talent and crop of talented prospects. In fact, if you are into believing anonymous twitter accounts, one rumored return included the Nationals landing 4 of the Cubs' Top 11 prospects.
Included in the hypothetical deal was outfielder Owen Caissie, the Cubs' #1 prospect, catcher Moises Ballesteros (#2), first baseman Jonathan Long (#6), and shortstop Cristhian Hernandez (#11). Gore would be the only piece from the Nationals headed back to Chicago in the rumored deal, but of course this is not any sort of official rumor or announcement.
If Gore was to be dealt, the Nationals would likely target some combination from the Cubs that included 3-4 names from a group of Caissie, Ballesteros, Long, Hernandez, #5 prospect Jaxon Wiggins, or rookies Matt Shaw and Cade Horton. The Nationals would have a plethora of options if they decide to deal Gore, and could even look to create a bidding war between other teams who were rumored to be involved like the Boston Red Sox or Detroit Tigers.
Do you think MacKenzie Gore will be dealt? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.