Across sports, Achilles tendon tears have torpedoed many a career, often among NFL players and even more frequently among NBA players. But Michael Soroka is a bit different–he is the rare MLB player who has suffered an Achilles tendon tear, and the rare pitcher to heave dealt with the injury. He went through it a whopping three times. And now, he is the newest member of the Cubs.
In a move that will be deflating for Cubs fans if it is the only thing the team does at the deadline, multiple reports say that Chicago has acquired Soroka in a trade from Washington.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers notes, “The Cubs are sending Triple-A OF Christian Franklin and 18 year-old INF Ronny Cruz to Washington in the deal for Soroka, sources tell ESPN.”
Michael Soroka Tore His Achilles Tendon 3 Times
Soroka was a rising star for the Braves back in 2020 when he became the youngest player in team history–just short of his 23rd birthday–to be the Opening Day starter for Atlanta. But he tore his Achilles tendon during the 2020 season, re-tore the tendon the next year and had another surgery, then tore it again and wound up missing all of the 2021and 2022 seasons, and pitching just seven big-league games in 2023.
He managed 79.2 innings in 2024 with the woebegone White Sox, and posted an 0-10 record. But he made nine starts, and his innings total was his highest since he was an All-Star in 2019.
This year, pitching for the Nationals, Soroka has gone 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA this season, but his 81.1 innings are his most in six years, and he has posted a 3.00 ERA, allowing 20 hits and walks with 17 strikeouts in 18.0 innings over his past four starts.
Cubs Could Have More Trades Coming
The Cubs have been desperate for pitching, as the team has surged in the standings, a game behind the Brewers in the NL Central at 63-45. But with Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon on the shelf because of injuries, the Cubs need depth in the rotation.
Soroka, Cubs fans hope, is just the beginning. As Rogers reported earlier, “On (the Cubs’ trade deadline) wish list: two starters, a reliever, a potential upgrade at third base and perhaps a backup center fielder.”
Soroka is a starter, but only an iffy proposition there, durability-wise. For the season, Soroka has only pitched 6.0 innings four times, the last coming a month ago.
Cubs Putting Prospects on the Table
As for the players the Cubs gave up, the 25-year-old Franklin is ranked No. 14 on the MLB list of Cubs prospects. He is batting .265 with eight home runs for Triple-A Iowa. At 18, Cruz is a long way from the big leagues, but is the team’s No. 13 prospect, currently playing in the rookie league.
The Cubs still have more chips to play. Their top prospect, Owen Caissie, is on the table in a trade, but only for a player who is under team control beyond this season, Rogers reported. Third baseman Matt Shaw is also a potential trade piece.
Rogers noted: “The slugging outfielder (Caissie) is one of the three players drawing the most interest from opposing teams, along with Shaw and Double-A pitcher Jaxon Wiggins. Chicago has made 22-year-old outfielder Kevin Alcantara available, but so far, he hasn’t drawn the interest the other players have.”
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