Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox Predicted to Complete Shocking Trade for Nationals' Ace to Solidify Rotation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 4:00 PM ET

One team that could use an influx of young and consistent starting pitching is the Boston Red Sox. While ace Garrett Crochet continues to be worth every penny and Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have emerged as key arms in the last month, the team lacks any consistency at the backend of the rotation.

A slew of injuries ended Kutter Crawford and Hunter Dobbins’ seasons, and the same may be the case for Tanner Houck after suffering another setback. Meanwhile, Walker Buehler has been putrid with a 5.72 ERA in 17 starts, making the need for another starting pitcher the highest priority for Boston.

As chief baseball officer Craig Breslow scours the pitching market , Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report predicts the Red Sox make a trade for Washington Nationals’ ace MacKenzie Gore.

The Nationals were initially tepid about trading the All-Star. However, as the trade deadline approaches, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports the team is entertaining calls for the left-hander. Although entertaining offers do not necessarily mean the Nationals are ready to part ways with Gore, the door is open to make a deadline deal.

Rymer believes that Gore is a “perfect match” for Boston and a proper co-ace to pair with Crochet at the top of the team’s rotation. The cost to acquire Gore will undoubtedly be high. However, Rymer uses Breslow’s own words against him, citing, “the future is now” in regards to potentially trading away highly touted prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.

Gore has posted a 3.59 ERA and 140 strikeouts across 112.2 innings. It may sound illogical to break the bank for Gore, especially if it means parting ways with Campbell or Mayer, but knowing the left-hander has two more years of arbitration left on his deal could be enough to coerce Breslow into another blockbuster deal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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