The Washington Nationals are not in a hurry to trade MacKenzie Gore during the current season, but several teams have expressed interest. Among these, the Seattle Mariners stand out as a franchise poised to capitalize on a potential deal, addressing their pitching struggles by pursuing Gore.
Seattle Mariners Poised to Strengthen Rotation with Gore
The Mariners have been active in the trade market and possess the prospects necessary to initiate negotiations. According to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report, Seattle ranks as one of the top destinations for Gore due to their inconsistency and injuries within the pitching staff this year. Acquiring Gore would immediately elevate their rotation to an elite level while securing pitching depth under team control through 2027.
Securing Gore could allow the Mariners to consider trading established pitcher Luis Castillo after the season, creating payroll flexibility to maintain a competitive offense moving forward.
Prospects Central to Possible Trade Package
The Nationals would likely require a significant return to consider parting with Gore, but Seattle holds the assets to offer a compelling package. One proposed exchange involves trading MacKenzie Gore to the Mariners in return for prospects Harry Ford, Michael Arroyo, and Marcelo Perez.
This package would provide Washington with promising minor league talent capable of contributing in the near future. Ford and Arroyo represent premium batting talents with long-term team control, while Perez offers an intriguing pitching option expected to reach the major leagues soon.
Harry Ford: A High-Upside Catching Prospect
Harry Ford is among the most exciting prospects potentially included in the trade. Ranked No. 50 overall by MLB Pipeline, Ford projects as a possible future catcher for the Nationals. His blend of athleticism and defensive skill sets him apart, with the potential to develop into a player comparable to J.T. Realmuto. Though his stolen base attempts have slowed this season, his speed remains notable, complementing a .297/.413/.452 slash line at Triple-A.
Given the recent regression of Keibert Ruiz, Ford could fill a critical position of need behind the plate for Washington.
Michael Arroyo Offers Rare Offensive Potential at Second Base
Michael Arroyo stands out offensively among middle infield prospects, boasting a .270/.417/.500 slash line alongside 17 home runs and 49 RBIs across 87 games this season. At just 20 years old, Arroyo has demonstrated comfort and consistency against Double-A pitching and showed impressive power-speed combinations in previous levels, including 23 home runs and 18 stolen bases last year.
Marcelo Perez Provides Reliable Pitching Depth
Marcelo Perez adds valuable pitching depth to the potential trade. This season, he has maintained a solid 2.26 ERA and a 0.958 WHIP over 16 starts. While not possessing dominant physical tools, Perez relies on command and control to limit walks and manage innings effectively, making him a promising arm for the Nationals’ future bullpen or rotation.
The Significance of a Potential Deal
A trade involving MacKenzie Gore and these prospects would signal a major shift for both franchises. For the Mariners, it offers an opportunity to solidify their pitching rotation while preserving financial flexibility beyond this season. For the Nationals, acquiring talented, controllable prospects at key positions could accelerate rebuilding efforts and balance the roster with high-upside players.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Gore trade talks between Washington and Seattle could develop into one of the most impactful moves in the league, reshaping pitching dynamics and prospect pipelines for both teams.