MacKenzie Gore’s inclusion on top trade candidate list puts Rangers folly in a whole new light

Nolan Writin' writer Stephen Parello argues that MacKenzie Gore's appearance on MLB Trade Rumors' top trade candidates list underscores a failed move by the Texas Rangers. The Rangers traded five prospects to the Washington Nationals for Gore, hoping he would serve as an ace alongside Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. However, Gore struggled in 2026, posting a 4.58 ERA across a league-leading 34 starts before manager Skip Schumaker pulled him early in the season finale.

Parello contends that rather than earning a lucrative contract extension to anchor the rotation's future, Gore has become a distressed asset heading toward free agency. The writer suggests Texas may now be forced to trade Gore at a significant discount to recoup value, especially if veteran starters depart and the franchise initiates a broader roster rebuild.