Improving the pitching staff has been a priority for the Chicago Cubs as the trade deadline approaches.

They made their first maneuver to address that part of the roster Wednesday night by acquiring right-hander Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals, the team announced. The Cubs sent two prospects in the deal, outfielder Christian Franklin and infielder Ronny Cruz.

Soroka brings relief and starting experience to the Cubs. How exactly he fits into the pitching staff mix won’t be clear until the trade deadline passes and the full scope of the Cubs’ moves is known. Before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline, the Cubs should still be pursuing another quality starter who could be capable of making a postseason start, which won’t be easy or cheap to acquire in what is shaping up to be a seller’s market.

Soroka’s versatility will be an asset, however. Although he was used solely as a starter for the Nationals this year, 16 of his 25 appearances last season with the Chicago White Sox came out of the bullpen, where he thrived (2.75 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 36 innings).

Soroka, who turns 28 on Monday, is on an expiring contract after signing a one-year, $9 million deal in December with Washington.

Soroka posted a 4.87 ERA in 16 starts for the Nationals. Underlying statistics indicated some unluckiness with a 4.12 FIP. His ability to miss bats — a career-best 3.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio — is an asset to a Cubs pitching staff that needs more whiffs. His four-seam fastball and sinker velocities have dipped a couple of ticks over the last month, but the Cubs clearly believe in Soroka’s swing-and-miss ability and have proven they can tap into another level with pitchers who have struggled elsewhere. Soroka should also benefit from an elite defense playing behind him.

Franklin, 25, was rated the Cubs’ No. 14 prospect by MLB.com and features great power, though he too often hits the ball on the ground, and he didn’t have a great path to helping the big-league team. The Cubs selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.

Cruz, their third-round pick in the 2024 draft, possesses intriguing upside. The 18-year-old Cruz, ranked 13th in their system, made his professional debut this year in the Arizona Complex League, where he slashed .270/.314/.431 in 48 games, playing shortstop, second base and third base.

Originally Published: July 30, 2025 at 9:55 PM CDT