The Chicago Cubs have dipped into the trade market, acquiring pitcher Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals.
The Cubs confirmed the trade Wednesday night. It was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, and was confirmed by multiple outlets, including Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
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Cubs acquiring RHP Michael Soroka from Nationals, sources tell @TheAthletic.
In exchange, the Cubs are sending prospects Christian Franklin and Ronny Cruz to the Nationals.
Soroka has started 16 games for the Nationals this season, with a 3-8 record and a 4.87 ERA. He has 87 strikeouts in 81.1 innings of work.
He has dramatically slashed his walk rate, which was at 5.0 per nine innings last season, to 2.7 per 9 innings this season. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is also 4.12, indicating he’s run into some bad luck this season. His 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings is the best of his career.
It’s unclear whether he will join the rotation or the bullpen, as the Cubs could make additional moves before the 5 p.m. deadline Thursday.
Cruz is the No. 13-ranked prospect in the Cubs’ system, according to MLB Pipeline. He was drafted by the Cubs out of high school in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft. In 48 games with the team’s Arizona Rookie League squad, Cruz has 18 extra-base hits and 21 RBI’s, along with 10 stolen bases and a .270 batting average.
Franklin is the No. 14-ranked prospect in the team’s system, according to MLB Pipeline. He has spent this season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, with eight home runs, 41 RBI’s and 11 stolen bases in 86 games. He is slashing .265/.393/.427 on the year.
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