Chicago Cubs Are "Very Interested" In MacKenzie Gore

[Matthew Lenz]

The Chicago Cubs are looking to bolster their rotation at next week's trade deadline. Yesterday, they were tied to Adrian Houser of the Chicago White Sox - an uninspiring yet solid arm.

This morning, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic are reporting that the Chicago Cubs are "very interested" in starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore - a big impact arm. One that would require the Cubs to deal high-end assets, which they are open to doing.

The southpaw Gore has started 21 games this season through July 26, 2025. He has pitched 117 2/3 innings with a 3.52 ERA. His FIP is 3.28, and he has a 29.3% strikeout rate and a 9.0% walk rate. Gore was named to his first All-Star Game in 2025. He is controllable through 2027 via arbitration.

Do you think the Cubs should do what it takes to land Gore, even if it means depleting their farm system? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[Layoutman]

Not sure ownership wants an interim GM trading the organization best trade asset at the deadline.  If Gore gets traded, it would likely be at the winter meetings. That would allow the Nat's to get a new GM & Manager in place.

 

[Bull]

4 hours ago, Layoutman said:

Not sure ownership wants an interim GM trading the organization best trade asset at the deadline.  If Gore gets traded, it would likely be at the winter meetings. That would allow the Nat's to get a new GM & Manager in place.

 

I thought you were talking about Hoyer there for a minute. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

Would you include Shaw in a deal for Gore?

[mul21]

12 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Would you include Shaw in a deal for Gore?

I don't think you can if you're serious about making a playoff run this season.  He's light years better defensively than anyone else they have to play at 3B and the offense isn't going to be what it's been since the break, but I don't think a .750+ OPS the rest of the way is out of the question.

[We Got The Whole 9]

13 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Would you include Shaw in a deal for Gore?

3B are pretty scarce. I'd include Horton but try to hold onto Shaw.

[squally1313]

Shaw for Gore and then like Suarez or Castro to fill that spot is something that makes sense in a video game world but realistically it's too many moving pieces and too much uncertainty with in-demand players to risk leaving yourself a big hole in a contending year. You could maybe build something around Shaw and whatever else it takes for Ryan and Castro (maybe plus a pen arm, if you really want to do a one stop shop) to eliminate the complexity of multiple deals, but probably still too video game-y.

[NorthsideAvenger]

16 minutes ago, mul21 said:

I don't think you can if you're serious about making a playoff run this season.  He's light years better defensively than anyone else they have to play at 3B and the offense isn't going to be what it's been since the break, but I don't think a .750+ OPS the rest of the way is out of the question.

I bring it up because supposedly WASH wants Shaw in the deal.

Love Gore but after trading Cam Smith for Tucker, I would keep Shaw.