The Cubs have acquired right-hander from the Nationals, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. In return, Washington will receive prospects Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Chicago has been linked to several pitchers as they look to upgrade their staff, and Soroka was a logical trade candidate given his pending free agency and the Nationals’ status as non-contenders.
Soroka impressed out of the bullpen for the White Sox last season, so the Cubs may consider using him in a relief role again, depending on how they evaluate his current form and whether more rotation help arrives before tomorrow’s 5pm CT deadline.
Soroka joined the Nationals on a one-year, $9 million deal over the winter. Although he missed about five weeks earlier this season due to a biceps strain, the injury wasn’t serious. In 16 starts and 81 1/3 innings this year, he’s posted a 4.87 ERA, with a strong 25.4% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate.
His advanced metrics paint a more favorable picture, with a 3.60 SIERA indicating he’s pitched better than his ERA suggests. Despite some drop in fastball velocity — now averaging 93.5 mph — Soroka’s barrel rate of 6.4% and underlying numbers are encouraging.
Once an All-Star with Atlanta in 2019, Soroka’s career was derailed by two Achilles tendon tears and arm injuries, limiting him to just 79 2/3 innings between 2020 and 2023.
Last season with the White Sox, he logged a 4.74 ERA overall, but shined as a reliever with a 2.75 ERA over 36 innings compared to a 6.39 ERA in 43 2/3 innings as a starter. He likely would’ve been dealt at last year’s deadline if not for a shoulder injury in July.
Soroka will join a Cubs rotation that’s nearing reinforcements. Jameson Taillon is expected back from the IL soon, and Javier Assad has started a rehab assignment after missing the season to date with an oblique injury. With Shota Imanaga, Taillon, and Matthew Boyd locked into the rotation, the remaining spots could come down to Soroka, Colin Rea, and Cade Horton — a picture that may still change with further trades.
There’s no indication of cash being exchanged, so the Cubs appear set to absorb the roughly $3 million left on Soroka’s contract. With a current luxury tax payroll estimate of $220.5 million, Chicago still has room to add salary and stay below the $241 million threshold. Ideally, they’ll improve the team without crossing the tax line, though going over for a second straight year might be a worthwhile cost in pursuit of a division title.
As for Washington, the return for the rental is solid: Cruz and Franklin rank 13th and 14th, respectively, in Chicago’s deep farm system per MLB Pipeline. It’s a decent payoff for a short-term signing.
Cruz, an 18-year-old infielder drafted in the third round in 2024, is hitting .270/.314/.431 in rookie ball. Primarily a shortstop, he’s also seen time at second and third base, and some scouts think he could play center field thanks to his athleticism and strong arm. While his pure hitting is still developing, his raw power is already considered a plus.
Baseball America ranks Cruz 17th in the Cubs’ system, but Franklin doesn’t appear on their list. That may reflect concerns about his bat, which Pipeline acknowledges.
Franklin has a solid all-around game, though no standout tools aside from a strong arm — potentially making right field his long-term position, despite mostly playing center for Triple-A Iowa.
Cruz may be more of a long-term project, but Franklin could be MLB-ready soon. The 2021 fourth-rounder is hitting .265/.393/.427 in 390 plate appearances this season in his Triple-A debut.
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