(670 The Score) The Cubs have reached a deal to acquire right-hander Michael Soroka from the Nationals, according to multiple reports Wednesday evening.
In return, the Cubs will trade a pair of prospects to the Nationals, according to ESPN – Triple-A outfielder Christian Franklin and 18-year-old infielder Ronny Cruz, who’s currently playing in rookie ball.
Soroka, 27, figures to give the Cubs much-needed depth in their rotation but could also factor into their bullpen mix at some point. He has a 4.87 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 16 starts this season. He has struck out 87 batters and walked 24 in 81 1/3 innings. He also carries a 4.12 FIP. Soroka has a 3.91 ERA in six MLB seasons.
Soroka made 16 appearances out of the bullpen for the Nationals in 2024, when he had a 4.74 ERA in 25 overall appearances.
Franklin, 25, was hitting .265 with eight homers, 41 RBIs and an .820 OPS in 86 games at Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs selected Cruz in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft. He was the rated as the 13th-best prospect in the Cubs' farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. Franklin was ranked No. 14 on their prospect list.