On May 22, 2022, fans of the San Diego Padres settled in with a sense of anticipation, believing they were witnessing the early stages of a breakout from one of the organization’s most hyped young arms. MacKenzie Gore, selected third overall in the 2017 MLB Draft, had already made his major league debut prior to that late-May matchup with the San Francisco Giants. But that night felt different. It felt like the beginning of something bigger—a moment when years of rotation inconsistency might finally give way to the arrival of a true homegrown ace.
That game served as a beacon for a fanbase that had endured plenty of frustration with the team’s pitching depth. Gore delivered six impressive innings, surrendering just a single run and showing the type of poise, command, and raw stuff that scouts had raved about since his draft day. That performance didn’t stand alone, either—it ignited what became a brilliant three-start run.
Over those outings, Gore amassed 25 strikeouts and allowed only one run across 19 total innings. For Padres fans, it was easy to believe that they were watching the emergence of a long-awaited star. In their minds, the future of the rotation had finally taken shape.
But the storyline took a twist soon afterward. Just two months later, Gore was dealt to the Washington Nationals as one of the central pieces in the blockbuster trade for Juan Soto—a move that shook the baseball world when it happened. While Padres fans understood the magnitude of landing a generational hitter like Soto, the cost of including Gore was something that stung immediately and has only become more painful over time.
In the seasons since, the Padres have found themselves missing the electric left-hander more and more. Gore steadily developed in Washington, and by 2025 he had earned his first All-Star selection, validating the potential that had once thrilled the fanbase in San Diego.
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As he blossomed, fans couldn’t help but imagine how different the Padres’ rotation would look if they still had him anchoring it. The club’s attempts to rebuild and stabilize their pitching staff only highlighted how valuable a dependable, dynamic starter like Gore would be.
The desire to bring him back wasn’t just a hypothetical among fans. At the 2025 trade deadline, the Padres made an effort to reacquire Gore, hoping to reunite with the pitcher who once seemed destined to become their franchise cornerstone. But their attempt fell short, leaving the front office and the fanbase wondering whether a second opportunity would ever arise.
That failed pursuit shouldn’t signal the end of their interest, though. As the MLB offseason ramps up—complete with the usual flood of rumors, speculation, and outlandish ideas—the Padres remain in a position where pursuing Gore still makes sense.
A large portion of the league has reportedly shown interest in the Nationals’ lefty, so it’s only logical for San Diego to stay involved rather than sit on the sidelines. Even with the Padres entertaining trade discussions involving their current ace, Nick Pivetta, there is still room for them to aggressively chase a reunion with Gore.
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If the Padres are truly committed to reshaping their roster and strengthening their pitching for the years ahead, circling back to MacKenzie Gore should be one of their top priorities. His growth, talent, and familiarity with the organization make him precisely the type of pitcher they should be targeting—a chance to correct a painful trade and recapture the potential they once believed would lead their rotation into a new era.
Padres need to consider bringing back MacKenzie Gore for the 2026 season
Reacquiring MacKenzie Gore wouldn’t come without challenges, but the San Diego Padres could realistically explore the possibility of bringing him back. The real question is what such a move would cost. Given the situation president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has created—one defined by aggressive trades and a tendency to part with top young talent—the price for a reunion would almost certainly be steep.
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The most likely centerpiece of a deal would be Ethan Salas, one of the few premier prospects the organization still has. Whether surrendering him would be a justifiable gamble remains a matter of debate among fans and analysts.
Salas ranks among MLB’s Top 100 prospects, bringing significant long-term upside. However, Gore is no longer just a promising young arm. He has officially entered his prime, and by the time the 2026 campaign begins, he will be 27 years old and fresh off his first All-Star selection. His trajectory over the past two seasons shows a pitcher evolving into a dependable frontline starter.
Gore has struck out more than 180 hitters in back-to-back years and posted a career-high 3.0 bWAR, a reflection of both his production and his growing consistency. Just as importantly, he has logged 62 starts across those two seasons, demonstrating that durability—once a concern in his early development—is now trending in the right direction.
What separates Gore from many other available arms is the quality of his repertoire. His pure stuff has taken a leap, allowing him to generate swing-and-miss rates associated with elite-level pitchers. His fastball, which averages above 95 miles per hour, remains one of his defining weapons. Combine that velocity with left-handed delivery, deception, and improved command, and you have the kind of pitcher every team covets. A lefty with that kind of power profile is a rarity in the modern game, and it explains why any potential trade package would be so expensive.
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Given this context, dealing Salas could be viewed as justifiable—especially when considering how few top-tier prospects the Padres have left after years of aggressive trades. Many of the organization’s most promising young players have already been moved in previous attempts to stay competitive, making Salas one of the last premium assets remaining in the system. That scarcity increases his value but also highlights the urgency surrounding the current roster.
San Diego’s competitive window is open right now. With stars already in place and a fanbase hungry for a championship run, the front office may feel pressure to make a bold, win-now move. Adding a pitcher like Gore, who has transformed into the kind of reliable, high-upside starter they once envisioned him becoming, could significantly strengthen the rotation and elevate the Padres into a more legitimate contender.
In the end, the decision comes down to weighing future potential against present opportunity. Salas could one day become a cornerstone player, but Gore is already performing at an All-Star level. For a franchise seeking immediate postseason success, the temptation to bring him back might be too strong to pass up.
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