Hours after dealing relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garcia to the Los Angeles Angels for a pair of prospects including a former Top 5 player in the Miami Marlins' system, the Washington Nationals struck again on Wednesday evening.
While the Nationals have already begun to sell off their expiring contracts such as the pair of pitchers and infielder Amed Rosario, the team sent away one of their more valuable assets. Despite all of the rumors between the Nationals and Chicago Cubs have been centered around All-Star lefty MacKenzie Gore, it appears as if the Cubs will be grabbing another starting pitcher from the Nationals.
That pitcher comes in the form of Michael Soroka, who was signed to a 1-year, $9 million deal this offseason, and has put together a decent season for the team. While his 4.87 ERA is nothing to scoff at, his underlying metrics show he has the stuff to be an effective arm, whether as a guy who maxes out at 5.0 innings per start or as a multi-inning relief option.
He will now be sent to the Cubs, who have been in search of pitching help whether in their rotation or in their bullpen virtually all season long, and will try to help them cement a playoff spot. Soroka will finish his lone season with the Nationals with a 3-8 record, 4.87 ERA, 1.131 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in just 81.1 innings. His 14 hit batters this season also leads the majors, but perhaps shifting to the bullpen in Chicago could help him with his durability this season.
While we don't know what role he will play for the Cubs, we do know what the Nationals received in return for Soroka's services, and it would be very hard to be upset with what the team got in exchange. As part of the deal, the Nationals will receive 18-year-old infielder Ronny Cruz and AAA outfielder Christian Franklin, the Cubs' #13 and #14 prospects, respectively.
This is a great return for a half season of Soroka, and the players they got back both have very legitimate upside to be valuable big leaguers. Ronny Cruz, the #13 prospect for the Cubs, was a 3rd-rounder for them in last year's draft, and has held his own in rookie ball this year with a .270/.314/.431 slash line in 48 games. Additionally, he has homered twice, driven in 21 runs, and has stolen 10 bags to go with a 35:10 K:BB ratio.
Cruz is a very raw prospect at the plate, but should be a guy that can stick at shortstop once he gets closer to the big leagues. His scouting grades from MLB Pipeline include a 40-grade hit tool, 55-grade power tool, 55-grade run from an offensive standpoint. Defensively, he features a 60-grade arm and 55-grade field, suggesting that the 6'2" 170-pound Cruz should be a valuable asset if developed properly.
The other piece in the deal, Christian Franklin, checks in as the #14 prospect in Chicago's system, and he was a former 4th-rounder of the team back in the 2021 draft. He is already 25-years-old but does have an .820 OPS for AAA Iowa this season, which is supported by a solid .265/.393/.427 slash line to go along with 8 homers, 41 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, and an 80:63 K:BB ratio. His ability to draw walks would be a valuable asset to have in the Nationals' system that currently struggles to teach plate discipline.
Franklin is a guy who could challenge for a spot in the big leagues as soon as next season, and joins a crowded outfield picture with the Nationals. Pipeline gives him a 50-grade hit, 45-grade power, 50-grade run, 55-grade arm, and 50-grade fielding tools that should make him a solid all-around player. It is unclear when the 5'9" 195 pound Franklin will get a look in the big leagues, but I'd guess it's sooner vice later given his age.
What do you think of the Nationals' return for Michael Soroka? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.