As the MLB trade deadline approaches this Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, teams across the league are preparing to make last-minute moves to strengthen their rosters for the playoff push. Among the names drawing increased attention is Washington Nationals’ left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, whose trade deadline potential has surprised many after initially being regarded as untouchable.
Gore, 26, who was acquired by Washington in the trade for Juan Soto, has been a standout performer for the Nationals in 2025. He has logged 117.2 innings while striking out 144 batters and maintaining a 3.52 ERA, showing both consistency and upside. With more than two years remaining under team control, Gore represents a valuable pitching asset amid this typically unsettled trade environment.
ESPN analysts Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel recently noted that
the Nationals are, at the very least, listening.
—Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, ESPN
The Chicago Cubs have emerged as a club that possesses both the motivation to contend and the prospect capital to make a substantial offer for Gore. Reporters Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic highlighted Chicago’s strong interest in acquiring the Nationals’ starter, a move that could reshape the NL Central race, where the Cubs currently share first place with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs’ prospect pool includes Burlington, Ontario native Owen Caissie, whose inclusion in a potential trade package adds to Chicago’s leverage in negotiations. While the possibility of a Gore trade remains uncertain, the situation merits attention as the deadline approaches.
Trade Buzz Surrounding Key MLB Players
As the trade market begins to intensify, multiple other MLB players are involved in swirling rumors that could impact several teams‘ mid-season strategies.
Potential Shift in Tampa Bay Rays’ Strategy on Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe
The Tampa Bay Rays, struggling with a 7-17 record since late June and trailing by three games in the American League wild-card race, may be reconsidering their stance on trading key players. First baseman Yandy Díaz, who has a vesting option for 2027 and a solid .284/.345/.471 batting slash with 18 home runs this year, was previously viewed as unlikely to be moved. However, recent reports from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggest the Rays’
position on trading certain players — and specifically, first baseman Yandy Díaz — also might be softening.
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Rosenthal also identified second baseman Brandon Lowe and catcher Danny Jansen as potential trade candidates if the team cannot reverse its slide. Should Díaz become available, the Boston Red Sox are expected to show strong interest. As Chris Cotillo of MassLive explained, the Red Sox
identified him as someone at the top of the wish list
earlier in the month. —Chris Cotillo, MassLive
White Sox Seek Mark Vientos in Trade for Luis Robert Jr.
Luis Robert Jr., the Chicago White Sox center fielder, continues to draw considerable trade speculation despite his team’s disappointing season. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Robert has significant outside interest from playoff contenders expecting him to maintain his strong July performance, which includes a .926 OPS.
Though Robert briefly missed time this month due to adductor soreness, he has shown potential for a strong stretch run and retains two years of team control through $20-million team options. Chicago, however, is demanding a substantial return for him, reportedly targeting former Mets slugger Mark Vientos as part of any deal. Vientos, 25, has struggled this year but remains a promising talent after his 27-homer 2024 season and playoff contributions. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale detailed this interest in Vientos as part of the asking price for Robert. —Bob Nightengale, USA Today
Potential Movements Involving Nolan Arenado and Third Base Targets
Nolan Arenado‘s status with the St. Louis Cardinals remains in flux as the team struggles to maintain playoff positioning. Having blocked a December trade to the Houston Astros via his no-trade clause, Arenado stayed with the Cardinals for the 2025 season but his future now appears uncertain. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that, although no further Astros pursuit is expected,
a source said some of the other clubs pursuing (Eugenio) Suárez could pivot to Arenado if they miss out on the Arizona slugger.
—Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Arenado is providing solid defense with his 10 Gold Gloves, yet his offense has cooled, hitting just .235 with a .663 OPS. For the Cardinals to facilitate a trade, they would likely need to absorb a portion of his remaining $42 million contract over the next two seasons to soften the cost for a new team.
Meanwhile, third base options Eugenio Suárez and Willi Castro have attracted Houston Astros interest, as reported by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, especially with the uncertain season outlook for Astros’ all-star Isaac Paredes.
Additional Trade Market Developments
Other quick updates as teams fine-tune their rosters include the Seattle Mariners, who recently acquired Josh Naylor and are expected to be very active in acquiring bullpen help. Mariners’ president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto declared to MLB Network Radio that they will be
as aggressive in (the bullpen) market as anybody.
—Jerry Dipoto, Mariners President of Baseball Operations
These ongoing negotiations reflect the intense scramble as the league’s contenders aim to solidify rosters ahead of the post-season, with more activity expected as Thursday’s deadline approaches.
Implications of MacKenzie Gore’s Trade Deadline Status
The elevation of MacKenzie Gore as a potential trade piece signals a critical shift for the Nationals and the broader trade landscape. Gore’s youth, performance, and contract control make him a rare and valuable commodity, especially in a deadline environment where pitching talent is highly sought after.
For the Nationals, listening to offers may provide flexibility to retool while capitalizing on Gore’s rising stock. For contenders like the Cubs, adding Gore could bolster rotation depth and strengthen their playoff chances in a competitive NL Central. As teams continue to evaluate needs and assets, Gore could emerge as a pivotal figure in shaping MLB’s trade deadline outcomes.
With the final hours until the trade deadline quickly approaching, all eyes will be on Washington and MacKenzie Gore to see if his unexpected candidacy results in one of the more significant deals of the 2025 mid-season market.