Grading a realistic NY Mets trade package for MacKenzie Gore

Federal Baseball covers the Washington Nationals and took notice of one of the ongoing New York Mets rumors about their interest in MacKenzie Gore. Nothing imminent, the NL East rival would be an ironic addition to the Mets roster because of how he ended up in Washington in the first place.

Traded to D.C. for Juan Soto, teaming up together in Queens would present itself with a nice little twist we thought was more possible with the Mets signing MIchael King, another pitcher previously traded for Soto.

Federal Baseball took a look at the Mets farm system and came to some conclusions about who they’d want for Gore. While profiling Jonah Tong, they accepted it probably wouldn’t happen. Their package was equal parts sensible and painful which feels far too realistic.

Here’s what a Nationals site thinks a Mets trade for MacKenzie Gore could look like

This threesome for Gore seems to be a common choice in many mock trades. You get the headliner, Brandon Sproat. He immediately steps onto a big league roster for non-contending teams. The power addition of Ryan Clifford brings the other team a bat that could be 6 months or a full season away from the majors. In either case, it’s a unique talent he has for getting on base and driving home runs that’ll have him standing out from other prospects. Plus, he’s a first baseman and outfielder. Finally, there’s Jack Wenninger who is much more than a throw-in. The second pitcher that seems to be required to drive home many trades, Wenninger’s impressive 2025 season should have him fast-tracking his way to the majors as long as he doesn’t hit a pot hole in Triple-A.

We can understand why the Nationals would love this trade. Grading it from their perspective, it seems worthy of an A.

Gore has been in the majors for parts of four seasons and has two more years of control. He’s young, possibly on the verge of breaking out in full. He turns 27 in February and he’s either going to be a high-profile prospect who ends up in the middle of someone’s rotation or an absolute stud.

Gore checks off some boxes for the Mets. He can last a full season, making 30+ starts in each of the last two seasons. The upside is obvious. He’s a strikeout artist with a few too many wild pitches but not an exceptionally high walk rate. The downer with him is he doesn’t guarantee the Mets that they’ve brought in a rotation anchor. They have players who can easily put together the kind of year Gore did. Something’s missing.

The trade itself feels realistic for what the Mets would have to pay to get Gore. But if we’re going to look at it objectively from a “meets the needs” standpoint, this isn’t an A trade. You’re better off using those pieces to acquire someone else. Freddy Peralta is a better and more proven pitcher. The extra year of control, and the Mets only get one, with Gore isn’t worth swapping two notable pitching prospects and a power hitter with a clear path to the majors right now.

This trade gets a B- from the Mets side of things. Gore’s second-half included a 6.75 ERA. The innings were there. The All-Star level performance wasn’t. Not an unheard of result for many pitchers, he’s missing the element the Mets desperately needed in 2026.

The Mets would be better off paying this price tag for a better pitcher who can answer questions. If there’s only one addition they make, Gore isn’t it.

Trade Grade for the Nationals: A
Trade Grade for the Mets: B-

How do you improve this trade for the Mets? Swap out Wenninger for a lesser prospect. Our grandchildren shouldn't have to suffer. Sproat and Clifford feel necessary. Wenninger is too promising to include here when he's as close as he is and as talented.