MacKenzie Gore to the Yankees? A High-Upside Bet with Real Second-Half Concerns
- Joseph Esposito
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
With the Yankees seemingly fully committed to the trade market as their preferred path this offseason, MacKenzie Gore is a name they have been connected to for months. According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the Yankees have previously held discussions with Washington regarding Gore’s availability. With two years of team control remaining before free agency, the Nationals may be motivated to maximize his value as they continue their rebuild.
Below is a look at Gore’s profile and why the Yankees should make a legitimate push to acquire him.
MacKenzie Gore's Pitch Mix
Gore featured a five-pitch mix in 2025, highlighted by the addition of a slider. Below is a breakdown of each pitch, its effectiveness, and what it tells us about his overall profile.
4-Seam Fastball
Gore’s four-seam fastball took a step back in 2025. His average velocity dropped from 96.0 mph to 95.2 mph, which may seem marginal but had a significant impact on results.
Fastball Metrics
Stat | 2024 | 2025 |
Whiff % | 22.6 | 20.7 |
Put Away % | 17.3 | 15.6 |
xSLG | .423 | .495 |
xwOBA | .348 | .377 |
Hard Hit % | 40.6 | 47.8 |
In short, the fastball generated fewer whiffs, put hitters away less often, and allowed substantially more damaging contact.
Curveball
Gore’s curveball presents an interesting case. He increased usage by roughly five percent and was able to generate more whiffs while boosting his strikeout rate. However, like his fastball, it also allowed more damage. Expected slugging jumped by nearly 100 points, and the hard-hit rate increased by eight percent.
Slider
The slider was essentially a new pitch for Gore in 2025 after being used just one percent of the time in 2024. The early returns were encouraging.
xBA: .197
xSLG: .299
xwOBA: .220
Hard Hit %: 31.4
Whiff %: 40.5
This pitch has the potential to become a legitimate weapon as Gore continues to refine it.
Changeup
The raw results on Gore’s changeup were underwhelming, though the expected metrics suggest some bad luck was involved. The most notable change was a complete overhaul of the pitch’s shape, along with a reduction in velocity.
Changeup Comparison
Metric | 2024 | 2025 |
iVB | 7.3 | 0.3 |
iHB | -1.5 | -1.1 |
Velocity | 91.1 | 86.7 |
This is a dramatic shift in profile, and it raises an interesting question as to which version the Yankees would want him to lean into if acquired.
Cutter
Gore significantly reduced cutter usage in 2025, cutting it by nearly ten percent. The pitch was a major liability in 2024, but when used more selectively last season, it became noticeably more effective.
A Tale of Two Half's: Gore's Biggest Issue
The biggest concern with MacKenzie Gore is his consistent second-half decline. This trend has now occurred in back-to-back seasons.
2024
1st Half:
6-8
4.01 ERA
3.08 FIP
3.73 xFIP
10.58 K/9
3.38 BB/9
2nd Half:
4-4
3.72 ERA
4.20 FIP
4.07 xFIP
8.65 K/9
3.72 BB/9
2025
1st Half:
4-8
3.02 ERA
2.96 FIP
3.29 xFIP
11.26 K/9
2.85 BB/9
2nd Half:
1-7
6.75 ERA
5.49 FIP
4.86 FIP
8.57 K/9
5.29 BB/9
Across both seasons, his expected metrics, strikeout rate, and command deteriorated sharply after the All-Star break. Any team acquiring Gore will need to identify and address the root cause of these late-season struggles.
The Trade Proposal
MacKenzie Gore will not be easy or cheap to acquire. Following the Edward Cabrera trade, the only prominent starters left on the market appear to be Gore and Freddy Peralta: (The Case for Freddy Peralta and Why the Yankees Should Trade For Him). As a result, the Yankees would likely need to overpay to compete with organizations like the Dodgers, Mets, and Red Sox.
Here would be my offer:
The centerpiece of this deal would be Jasson Domínguez, who has five years of control remaining and has already shown he can be an above-average MLB hitter. Washington is in dire need of an impact offensive piece, making Domínguez an ideal headliner.
Will Warren would be the second piece. He also has five years of control and delivered solid results during his rookie season.
The final piece would be J.C. Escarra, who could immediately slot in as the Nationals’ starting catcher. He is a superior defender to Keibert Ruiz and posted a higher wRC+ in 2025, albeit in a smaller sample.
Final Thoughts
MacKenzie Gore would not be my top target, as that distinction belongs to Freddy Peralta. However, Gore offers an additional year of control and possesses an intriguing skill set built around bat-missing ability. Coming from a Nationals organization that has struggled with pitcher development, there is reason to believe a change of scenery could unlock more consistency.
The second-half collapses are a legitimate concern, but they may also be a fixable issue with the right adjustments and workload management.
What are your thoughts on MacKenzie Gore? Would you be excited if the Yankees acquired him?
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