The Boston Red Sox are poised to make a splash this offseason, and their sights are set on bolstering their starting rotation. With the financial flexibility gained from trading away Rafael Devers and his massive contract, the Red Sox have the resources to pursue top-tier talent. Even with looming decisions about Alex Bregman and Lucas Giolito, Boston’s deep farm system and abundance of trade chips give them the leverage to chase a frontline starter. According to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, adding a No. 2 starter to slot between Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello could elevate Boston’s rotation to one of baseball’s elite. Enter MacKenzie Gore, the Washington Nationals’ 26-year-old All-Star left-hander, who could be the perfect fit. Here’s a mock trade that has Red Sox fans buzzing—and Nationals fans crying foul.
Proposed Mock Trade
Red Sox receive:
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LHP MacKenzie Gore
Nationals receive:
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OF Wilyer Abreu
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INF Vaughn Grissom
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OF Nelly Taylor (Red Sox No. 17 prospect)
MacKenzie Gore is a former first-round pick and a 2025 All-Star with three years of team control remaining, not hitting free agency until 2028. Despite a 4.17 ERA in 2025, his 3.74 FIP suggests he was better than his raw numbers indicate, as FIP accounts for factors like team defense. Gore posted a solid 3.80 ERA across his first 22 starts but struggled down the stretch, with a 5.40 ERA in his final eight outings, including one disastrous start where he allowed eight earned runs. Still, his elite stuff—a high-octane fastball and devastating breaking pitches—makes him a prime candidate to anchor Boston’s rotation for years to come. Pairing him with Crochet and Bello could create a formidable trio, giving the Red Sox a rotation capable of competing with the best in baseball.
This proposed deal could be seen as a massive overpay by Boston, raising eyebrows across the league. Wilyer Abreu, a Gold Glove outfielder with years of control, is a cornerstone of Boston’s outfield. Including him in the trade is a steep price, but the Red Sox’s surplus of outfield talent—think Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela—makes him expendable in the right deal. Vaughn Grissom, a young infielder with upside, hasn’t quite found his footing in Boston, making him a logical trade chip to sweeten the package. Nelly Taylor, Boston’s No. 17 prospect, is a raw outfielder still years away from the majors, but his inclusion adds long-term potential for Washington. Together, this trio might be too much for a single pitcher, even one as talented as Gore, leading some to call this trade “illegal” for its lopsided nature in Boston’s favor.
For the Nationals, this trade offers a mix of immediate and future value. Abreu provides a proven, defensively elite outfielder who can contribute right away. Grissom, still young and brimming with potential, could develop into a key infielder for a rebuilding Washington squad. Taylor, while far from the big leagues, adds a high-upside prospect to their pipeline. However, parting with Gore—a young, controllable ace—would be a tough pill to swallow for a Nationals team looking to build around its young core. They’d need to believe strongly in the trio’s potential to justify letting go of a pitcher with Gore’s ceiling.
This mock trade is bold, perhaps even audacious, but it reflects the Red Sox’s aggressive mindset this offseason. With financial flexibility and a wealth of trade assets, Boston is in prime position to land a game-changer like MacKenzie Gore. While the package of Abreu, Grissom, and Taylor might seem like an overpay, it addresses Boston’s outfield surplus and clears a path for a rotation that could dominate for years. For Washington, the deal offers immediate talent and future potential, but losing Gore could sting. If this trade goes down, it might just be deemed “illegal” for how heavily it tilts in Boston’s favor.