Yankees Winter Meetings: MacKenzie Gore trade rumors, 2 relievers on Cashman's radar

One key takeaway from the first 24 hours of the Yankees' media availability at the 2025 Winter Meetings? If they're going to acquire any significant rotation help this offseason, it's going to come from a substantial trade.

One inference, after hearing every Yankees insider repeat that similar tidbit? Some form of substantial trade probably is going to happen, rather than dissolving into the Rumor Mist when the winter ends. Jeff Passan said it, right? Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones likely won't open the season in the same outfield picture. Bellinger seems fated for a price the Yankees won't pay, sure, but that doesn't mean the latter two aren't trade candidates anyhow.

And, if Domínguez is going to go, it'll probably be for someone like Nationals All-Star lefty MacKenzie Gore, who the Yankees were credibly connected to on Monday. According to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post, the Brian Cashman has asked around Gore in recent days.

Yankees Rumors: MacKenzie Gore trade talks circling

Gore posted just a 5-15 record last season, but whiffed 185 men in 159 2/3 innings in a significant step forward. A centerpiece of the Nationals' Juan Soto trade with the San Diego Padres, he was in the 80th percentile in whiff percentage/K rate, but his fastball was relatively ineffective (43rd percentile) and his expected ERA was decidedly blah (his surface mark was 4.17). So much for the Yankees getting less left-handed, too (kidding, kidding...).

In addition to chasing Gore, the Yankees have been credibly connected to a pair of relievers, though there's no reason to believe the Brewers are eager to answer their calls about All-Star closer Trevor Megill.

Both the Mets (he's Tylor's brother) and Yankees have reportedly inquired recently, while the Brewers try to shop ace Freddy Peralta more publicly. Megill, 32 years old, is under control through 2027.

Maybe Milwaukee was inspired by what they were able to receive in exchange for one year of Devin Williams last winter, and would like to call the Yankees back and ask them to double it?

Yankees pursuing closer Trevor Megill, relief weapon Brad Keller

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees are also chasing free agent Brad Keller after a resurgent season in the Cubs bullpen. Despite earlier chatter about teams potentially inquiring about stretching Keller back out into a starter, the Yankees like him just fine as a reliever — he struck out 75 men in 69 2/3 frames last season with a 2.07 ERA.

Without Williams and Luke Weaver, the Yankees — already a handful of relievers short last season — will need top-tier reinforcements. Both Keller and Megill would fit the bill, but only one of them costs money alone.