For example, since Corbin Burnes is expected back near the All-Star break, Soroka can easily be moved into the bullpen to keep him healthy and turn him into a versatile long man to open a spot for Burnes to rejoin the rotation when the time comes.
It avoids the need to have that awkward conversation with a long-term starting pitcher like Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, or another free-agent starter, depending on the results of this upcoming season, of course.
Soroka is a proven reliever who did well with the Cubs in that role following his injury to end the 2025 season.
A History of Injuries, but Intriguing Upside
Of course, it’s due to those injuries in Soroka’s past that he was this cheap. He’s missed time with injury in every season since 2020. That includes two seasons in which he didn’t throw a single pitch. Notably, that was due to back-to-back years of tearing his right Achilles.
Thankfully, his elbow has been spared this whole time for the most part. He missed a few weeks to end the 2023 season with forearm inflammation and missed a couple of months in 2025 with a shoulder and biceps strain. Otherwise, his arm has been healthy. That’s good news when your job is throwing pitches and not hitting.
He’s just entering his age-28 season, so there should be plenty of bullets left in his arm and the potential for untapped upside.