On May 22, 2022, San Diego Padres fans braced themselves for what they hoped would be the beginning of a superstar era with their highly regarded prospect. MacKenzie Gore, the third overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, had already made his MLB debut prior to that May outing against the Giants, but that start seemed to signal the end of the Padres’ pitching struggles that had plagued the rotation for years.
A glimmer of hope emerged. Gore delivered six innings while allowing just one run, sparking a dominant three-start stretch. Over those outings, he racked up 25 strikeouts and surrendered only a single run across 19 innings. It appeared that a star had arrived in San Diego—at least for a moment.
However, just two months later, Gore was traded to the Washington Nationals as the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that brought Juan Soto to San Diego. Since then, the Padres have felt the absence of the left-handed starter. In 2025, Gore earned his first All-Star selection, leaving Friars fans to wonder what the rotation would look like with him still in San Diego. The team even attempted to reacquire him at the 2025 trade deadline but fell short.
As offseason trade rumors heat up, San Diego should make a push to bring Gore back. With half the league reportedly interested, there’s no reason the Padres can’t be in the mix, even while exploring potential deals involving ace Nick Pivetta.
Reuniting with Gore for the 2026 season won’t be simple, but it’s possible. The cost? Given GM A.J. Preller’s history of trading top prospects, acquiring Gore could require parting with Ethan Salas. Is it worth it? That’s up for debate.
Salas is a Top 100 MLB prospect, but Gore is entering his prime. By the start of 2026, he’ll be 27 and coming off his first All-Star appearance. He’s recorded consecutive 180-plus strikeout seasons, achieved a career-high 3.0 bWAR, and logged 62 starts over the last two years, showing increased durability.
Beyond the stats, Gore’s stuff is elite, with a fastball averaging over 95 MPH from the left side—a dream for any hitter to face. Trading Salas may be justified, particularly as most other top prospects are already off the board. With a championship window open, adding Gore could be the push the Padres need to contend.