Could Mackenzie Gore Be On The Radar?

Could MacKenzie Gore actually be on the Yankees’ radar? Supposedly yes — which is shocking, because the Yankees’ radar usually only detects ex-All-Stars from 2017 and pitchers held together with hope and duct tape.

If you don’t know Gore, you should. The kid’s a legitimately talented left-hander with guts, fire, and an arm that actually misses bats — something the Yankees treat like a luxury item. At the Winter Meetings, ESPN tossed around questions like “Which team is under the most pressure?” Jesse Rogers didn’t hesitate: the Yankees. Why? Because Toronto is out here making moves like they’ve discovered a cheat code. Their top priority now? Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai.

Meanwhile, the Yankees keep saying they’re “in” on Imai, but whenever Cashman says he’s in, it usually means he’ll show up three days late with coupons and a confused look. While the Yankees are busy protecting Anthony Volpe like he’s a national treasure, the Blue Jays are building a legitimate contender. Imai is important now, and why not? They’re going for it. The Yankees are going for… well, vibes.

And suddenly, instead of being all over Imai like they claimed, the Yankees rumors are drifting toward another name — MacKenzie Gore. ESPN’s reporting it. ClutchPoints is reporting it too. Rogers flat-out said Gore is likely to be moved: “Where there is smoke, there is fire… his name came up a lot in Orlando.” Translation: he’s available and he’s good. Of course that sets off Cashman’s bargain alarm.

Rogers even said the Yankees or Orioles make the most sense. Imagine that — the Yankees making sense for a good pitcher who isn’t 38 or recently broken. Refreshing!

Gore’s résumé is actually impressive: debuted with San Diego, earned an All-Star nod in 2025, boasts a lively fastball, growing breaking stuff, and legit strikeout potential. Yes, he still battles his walk rate. Yes, he ended 2025 early with an injury. But the ceiling? High. Very high. “Possible ace” high. Which means the Yankees should absolutely be sprinting after him… and therefore probably won’t.

Why? Because this front office is terrified — terrified of spending real money, terrified of trading real prospects, terrified of doing anything bold enough to actually improve the team. That’s how you end up signing players like Bradley Hanner, who has zero Major League innings but fits perfectly into Cashman’s “We swear this is a sneaky-smart move” discount bin.

It’s ridiculous. It’s predictable. It’s exhausting.

And if the Yankees don’t wake up, the rest of the AL East will keep powering up while the Bronx Bombers keep fiddling with clearance-rack projects and then wondering why October feels so far away.