MacKenzie Gore was a logical trade target for the Chicago Cubs at the MLB trade deadline, and with Gore remaining a trade candidate this offseason, Jed Hoyer almost certainly will be placing a call to the Washington Nationals. As the Cubs look to upgrade their starting rotation, chances are they would prefer the trade market, considering they have the opportunity to land an ace like Gore without giving out a contract they've avoided since signing Yu Darvish before the 20218 season.
Among the reasons why the Cubs weren't able to get a deal done at the deadline for a pitcher like Gore is that teams were asking for a package that included Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, and Owen Caissie.