The Blue Jays have been linked to Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore as free agency opens Monday. He'd give Toronto the lefty starter its rotation is missing.

MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams, Anthony Franco and Darragh McDonald named Toronto among the reasonable fits for Gore. The list also included the Mets, Orioles, Cubs and several others.

Texas has reasons to listen. He's down to one year of club control with a projected $8.7 million salary, and trimming payroll has been a goal for Rangers ownership.

The 2026 results were mixed. He went 8-11 with a 4.58 ERA over 34 starts.

But the tools are obvious. The MLBTR crew described a 28-year-old lefty “who sits 95 mph with above-average bat-missing abilities.”

He's also a former All-Star with real prospect pedigree. He “could still break out with a new level,” they wrote.

MacKenzie Gore would fill Toronto's missing lefty rotation spot

Toronto's projected rotation includes Dylan Cease, José Soriano, Trey Yesavage and Cody Ponce. None of them is a lefty.

The fifth spot is wide open. José Berrios, Bowden Francis and Jake Bloss are all coming back from injuries.

Is a one-year rental worth prospects? Only at the right price.

Skip Schumaker's Rangers would need a decent offer, since they don't have great rotation depth themselves. A prospect or two might get it done.

Toronto should be in on Gore, but not with Nolan Perry in the deal. A one-year lefty with upside is worth secondary prospects, not the organization's top arm.

Gore is a one-season lease on a fast car. You get the thrill now, but you don't trade the house for it.

He'd also face a crowded lefty market. Trevor Rogers and David Peterson are free-agent alternatives that wouldn't cost any prospects at all.

With a possible lockout coming Dec. 1, trades could freeze fast. If Ross Atkins likes Gore, November is the window.