Cubs acquire former All-Star pitcher Michael Soroka from Nationals

The Cubs are the latest team to shore up their pitching staff.

Chicago made a move to acquire starter Michael Soroka from the Nationals on Wednesday night, less than 24 hours before the MLB trade deadline, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old is a former All-Star and was a coveted arm at the deadline. 

Soroka hasn’t had a great season in 2025, but there’s plenty of reason to like what he brings to a team as a likely backend starter for Chicago, which sits in second in the NL Central at 63-45.

Soroka has posted a 4.87 ERA across 16 starts this season, but his advanced metrics suggest that he has pitched better than those numbers illustrate.

His expected ERA, which estimates ERA based on the quality of contact allowed rather than simply the outcome, is in the 75th percentile this season, according to Baseball Savant. The expected batting average of hitters he faces ranks even better, sitting in the 84th percentile.

His strikeout rate, walk rate and barrel rate all sit in the 69th percentile or better.

Soroka just now finding a groove for the first time in several years, as he’s struggled with injuries. He suffered two Achilles tears and a forearm injury in recent years.

His move to Chicago this trade deadline is actually a return of sorts, as he spent 2024 with the White Sox on the South Side of the Windy City. He pitched to a 4.74 ERA and a 0-10 record on nine starts and 25 total appearances for the White Sox.

Before his injuries, Soroka’s career was blossoming in Atlanta, as he made the All-Star Game in his second year and was top-6 in Cy Young voting with his 2.68 ERA.

In return for Soroka, the Cubs sent their No. 13 and 14 prospects to Washington, infielder Ronny Cruz and outfielder Christian Franklin, according to Heyman.

The 18-year-old Cruz was drafted in the third round in 2024 and primarily plays shortstop. He hit .270 with a .745 OPS across nearly 200 plate appearances in rookie ball.

Franklin was a fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Arkansas and is hitting .265 with an .820 OPS across 321 at-bats in Triple-A this season.