Diamondbacks To Sign Michael Soroka

"Soroka, still just 28 years old, is already signing the second free-agent contract of his career. He inked a one-year, $9MM deal with the Nats last offseason after an uneven year with the White Sox, wherein he struggled immensely as a starting pitcher before posting huge numbers as a reliever down the stretch. Washington plugged Soroka back into a starting role in 2025, eventually flipping him to the Cubs at the trade deadline. Soroka posted a middling 4.52 ERA in 89 2/3 innings (17 starts, six relief appearances) but continued to intrigue with sharp rate stats: 25.1% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate, 44.1% ground-ball rate."

"Arizona is in need of help both in the rotation and in the bullpen, so Soroka could conceivably be an option in either role. He's preferred to work as a starting pitcher in the past, however, and with the Snakes facing uncertainty beyond the trio of Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt, that's the likeliest path for him to begin next season. His ultimate role could hinge on the remaining slate of offseason moves the D-backs piece together, however."

"It still wasn't that long ago that Soroka looked like one of the game's most promising young starters. The 2015 first-round pick ranked as one of baseball's top prospects prior to his debut with Atlanta, and the first two seasons of his career more than justified that billing. In 200 1/3 innings from his late-2018 callup through the end of the 2019 season, Soroka pitched to a sparkling 2.79 earned run average. His 20% strikeout rate was below-average, but he compensated for that with an excellent 5.9% walk rate, a 50.2% grounder rate and plenty of weak contact."

Michael Soroka agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with $7.5MM guaranteed pending a physical. Soroka, 28, joins Arizona after a one-year, $9MM deal with Washington and a midseason trade to the Cubs, finishing 2025 with a 4.52 ERA in 89 2/3 innings across 17 starts and six relief appearances. He produced strong rate statistics — 25.1% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate and 44.1% ground-ball rate — despite uneven results. Arizona can use pitching depth in both the rotation and bullpen, and Soroka has previously preferred starting. His 2026 role will depend on remaining offseason moves.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors