Just what does the offseason hold for the San Francisco Giants? It has been quiet so far. However, the MLB Winter Meetings are about to get underway, and things could start heating up.
One area the Giants would love to add to this winter is with their starting rotation. Robby Ray and Logan Webb headline the rotation, but San Francisco would love to add another top-of-the-rotation arm with them.
As far as the free agent market goes, Dylan Cease is headed to the Toronto Blue Jays after agreeing to a seven-year deal. That leaves Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros as the next top pitcher as a free agent, followed by Michael King of the Padres.
If the Giants are going to add a pitcher, they might have to do it through a trade. Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted 10 major trades he would like to see this offseason. The Giants were involved in one of the deals.
Proposed Trade Lands Giants a Left-Handed Pitcher
Bowden proposed a trade that sends Washington Nationals all-star pitcher MacKenzie Gore to San Francisco for pitchers Jacob Bresnahan and Carson Whisenhunt. Gore was the third overall pick of the 2017 Draft.
“The Giants are looking for moderately priced starting pitchers with upside and no long-term commitment, and the Nationals are seeking controllable young starting pitchers in return, making this trade a good fit,” Bowden wrote.
In 2025 for the Nationals, Gore went 5-15. That record is deceiving, given how Washington struggled. Gore had a 4.17 ERA in 159.2 innings pitched and a career-high 185 strikeouts. If there were a pitcher who could benefit from a change of scenery, it would be Gore.
MacKenzie Gore Would Solidify the Giants’ Rotation
San Francisco needs to add another, and Gore makes sense. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan listed 25 trade candidates. They ranked the players by value for their new team if traded, not the likelihood of being dealt. Gore’s chances of getting traded were 30%.
“Teams expect Gore to be wearing a different uniform by the end of 2026. They just aren’t sure whether a deal will happen now or at the trade deadline in July. New Washington president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has held discussions with multiple teams about Gore, but the ask is understandably high. Gore’s impending free agency after 2027 complicates things somewhat,” McDaniel and Passan wrote.
As for Gore, he throws three pitches: a fastball, a slider, and a curveball. Developing a fourth pitch would be key, according to McDaniel and Passan.
“He has been solid the past two years, ranking 23rd in pitcher WAR in that span, but hasn’t quite made the jump to a frontline starter that some envisioned years ago. Gore throws at least 80% fastball/slider to lefties and at least 80% fastball/curveball to righties, so developing a fourth viable pitch shape could be the key; the best pitching development clubs excel at this,” McDaniel and Passan wrote.
The New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles were also listed as potential destinations with the Giants. If San Francisco is going to contend, adding an arm like Gore’s is a must. A change of scenery could really be beneficial for Gore.
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