Cubs Acquire Michael Soroka

[Ding Dong Johnson]

1 down…

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, JD94 said:

James Wood has developed well. Dylan Crews not so much. CJ Abrams hardly played in the minors with Washington. I agree with your point, just pointing out that they at least didn’t screw up James Wood

Eh...Wood was mostly developed in SD. He showed up as a 150 wRC+ hitter. They didn't really have to do much with him. 

Beyond Wood, Abrams and Gore, who all went through SD boot camp, Robert Hassell was a prospect who needed development in that trade and he's been terrible. They basically tank any draft pick who needs work, like Elijah Green. They can't even really get it right with Crews at this point and he was supposed to be ready made.

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Outshined_One said:

Franklin's ceiling is a bit limited, but it's easy to envision him getting a second contract in the majors.

I disagree, but I get it.

I do think he's a good bet to hang around in the majors for a while as a 4th OFer, but to put him on the same level as Caissie and Ballesteros is just unjustifiable to me.

[chibears55]

Seems like he gave up 2 good young assets for a not that good rental.

I guess he'll get his first start Monday over Rea

 

[Derwood]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Seems like he gave up 2 good young assets for a not that good rental.

I guess he'll get his first start Monday over Rea

 

He's fine. His xFIP shows he has had bad luck, and when you put him in front of a team of gold glovers, he should have improved results

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Seems like he gave up 2 good young assets for a not that good rental.

I guess he'll get his first start Monday over Rea

 

Soroka was 25th in baseball in K:BB, which, as Eno Saris points out, is a great indicator. 

Soroka is almost assuredly headed to the BP for the Flexen role meaning it is fair to assume that might jump even higher. 

[JD94]

3 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Eh...Wood was mostly developed in SD. He showed up as a 150 wRC+ hitter. They didn't really have to do much with him. 

Beyond Wood, Abrams and Gore, who all went through SD boot camp, Robert Hassell was a prospect who needed development in that trade and he's been terrible. They basically tank any draft pick who needs work, like Elijah Green. They can't even really get it right with Crews at this point and he was supposed to be ready made.

That’s true. It was a SSS of 50 games in A ball, but you’re right. Which is kind of why I said “they at least didn’t screw him up.” And agree with the rest. Elijah had major swing and miss concerns on draft day and they haven’t done anything with him. 

[Bertz]

21 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Things I like about this:

- I'm consistently the "but his xFIP!" guy, so obviously I believe he's better than his ERA.  Further, his numbers fall apart the 3rd time through.  If this was a playoff starter, that's a major issue.  For a backend guy 5 amd dive is perfectly fine

- He is mediocre enough that I'm not worried about not getting another starter

- Similar to Rea, there's some flexibility vis a vis bullpen vs. rotation

Things I don't like about this

- The lower levels of the org have had a bad enough year that I don't love giving up one of the lone bright spots like Cruz 

- That velo drop the last few outings is a bit scary

Two more thoughts:

- The Nationals are pretty bad at pitching development. so there might be additional magic Hottovy can work 

- Losing Franklin likely means Kevin Alcantara sticks around.  While not a slam dunk that felt like a bit of an either/or situation

[chibears55]

13 minutes ago, Derwood said:

He's fine. His xFIP shows he has had bad luck, and when you put him in front of a team of gold glovers, he should have improved results

Im not mad at this, just hope he can give them 5-6 innings of good pitching for 2 months and Rea becomes a key addition now to help improve the middle of the pen.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Im not mad at this, just hope he can give them 5-6 innings of good pitching for 2 months and Rea becomes a key addition now to help improve the middle of the pen.

He's likely going to the BP and becoming new Chris Flexen. 

They will still probably trade for a SP, and then Taillon will bump Rea down.

[chibears55]

15 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Soroka was 25th in baseball in K:BB, which, as Eno Saris points out, is a great indicator. 

Soroka is almost assuredly headed to the BP for the Flexen role meaning it is fair to assume that might jump even higher. 

So you think hes just a bullpen guy and not Rea replacement so Rea can to the pen

[Jason Ross]

Just now, chibears55 said:

So you think hes just a bullpen guy and not Rea replacement so Rea can to the pen

I think he's a BP person from what I have heard. The Cubs really like him as a reliever, he struggles third time through the order, and he was great in the pen last year. 

I think he'll take the Flexen spot. Taillon will eventually bump Rea.

[Derwood]

Just now, chibears55 said:

So you think hes just a bullpen guy and not Rea replacement so Rea can to the pen

He was extremely effective out of the pen last year

[chibears55]

7 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I think he's a BP person from what I have heard. The Cubs really like him as a reliever, he struggles third time through the order, and he was great in the pen last year. 

I think he'll take the Flexen spot. Taillon will eventually bump Rea.

I can deal with that...

Rea and Soroka out of the pen can be beneficial.

Help limit Horton innings in September if they choose to go that route and always good to have inning eaters in the postseason. 

 

Edited July 31, 2025 by chibears55

[KCCub]

7 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I think he's a BP person from what I have heard. The Cubs really like him as a reliever, he struggles third time through the order, and he was great in the pen last year. 

I think he'll take the Flexen spot. Taillon will eventually bump Rea.

If he is headed to mainly a Flexen type role, are we still thinking two starters is on the table? Like a Bieber/rental + controlled SP? Or likely just one preferably controlled SP and make do with a combination of Horton/Rea/Assad/Soroka as the 5th SP to get us through the season?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, KCCub said:

If he is headed to mainly a Flexen type role, are we still thinking two starters is on the table? Like a Bieber/rental + controlled SP? Or likely just one preferably controlled SP and make do with a combination of Horton/Rea/Assad/Soroka as the 5th SP to get us through the season?

I don't think two starters is on the table with Taillon and Assad close to coming back.

[Jason Ross]

4 minutes ago, KCCub said:

If he is headed to mainly a Flexen type role, are we still thinking two starters is on the table? Like a Bieber/rental + controlled SP? Or likely just one preferably controlled SP and make do with a combination of Horton/Rea/Assad/Soroka as the 5th SP to get us through the season?

Yeah, I think we have really sat into "one SP". Speaking with Matt on our live stream today, he got the feeling it was:

1 SP
1 RP
1 Bat

The Cubs hope that one of the P's were controlled. Soroka, is not. And I think he's going to the pen. So I am a little optimistic they get their controlled SP?

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, KCCub said:

If he is headed to mainly a Flexen type role, are we still thinking two starters is on the table? Like a Bieber/rental + controlled SP? Or likely just one preferably controlled SP and make do with a combination of Horton/Rea/Assad/Soroka as the 5th SP to get us through the season?

Would have to think no to a second SP.

Hate to see Hoyer give up too much of their good assets away now, especially if they still need another SP that will require their better ones, probably a bat or two, and maybe a late inning bullpen guy.

I think they have enough arms to cover the 5th spot if rotation after Taillon returns 

[Bertz]

2 minutes ago, KCCub said:

If he is headed to mainly a Flexen type role, are we still thinking two starters is on the table? Like a Bieber/rental + controlled SP? Or likely just one preferably controlled SP and make do with a combination of Horton/Rea/Assad/Soroka as the 5th SP to get us through the season?

I would be VERY surprised if they get two SPs beyond Soroka.  A lot of why we've talked about 2 SPs is depth, and having Soroka in the pen in long relief would provide that depth.

[KCCub]

If that’s the case, I think Suarez is more likely now. That is if the Cubs goal was 1 SP, 1 RP (Soroka), and 1 bat.

[Hot Sauce]

9 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Yeah, I think we have really sat into "one SP". Speaking with Matt on our live stream today, he got the feeling it was:

1 SP
1 RP
1 Bat

The Cubs hope that one of the P's were controlled. Soroka, is not. And I think he's going to the pen. So I am a little optimistic they get their controlled SP?

What are the chances we double dip and send a Caissie package to Washington for Gore?

[Bertz]

Quote

Few contenders need starting pitching more than the Cubs. Since starter Jameson Taillon went down, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has gone with openers, using the recently DFA’d Chris Flexen and Ben Brown in his place. But the expectation is that this move is the first of a few pitching additions as the club looks to bolster both the rotation and the bullpen as they make a push for the playoffs.

Via Sharma a little while ago.  Reading that, plus my expectations coming into this, I'd personally expect two more pitchers tomorrow, one SP and one traditional single inning reliever.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Hot Sauce said:

What are the chances we double dip and send a Caissie package to Washington for Gore?

Probably non-zero but my guess would be Edward Cabrera. Matt explained the Cubs love him and internally they have him above Gore. I think he will cost less as well. And might have more juice to squeeze. 

Gut feeling has me thinking they will end up with Cabrera sometime tomorrow. And now with the Adtros grabbing Urias, Suarez, too, maybe. 

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

Two more thoughts:

- The Nationals are pretty bad at pitching development. so there might be additional magic Hottovy can work 

- Losing Franklin likely means Kevin Alcantara sticks around.  While not a slam dunk that felt like a bit of an either/or situation

Alcantara might playing CF for the Cubs if PCA gets hurt unless they stick one of our corner guys there, especially with Brujan DFAd, so I can't really see him going anywhere, unless they acquire another CF.

[JHBulls]

Now go and finish up by getting that controllable starter we want and perhaps a position player to replace the innings eating Jon Berti. And then I will be satisfied. 

Edited July 31, 2025 by JHBulls