The Chicago Cubs are in desperate need for pitching right now. Their rotation has been plagued by injuries this season; with the likes of Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon spending various amounts of time on the team’s injured list. They need more arms to help balance the immense fire power that they have on the offensive side of the ball.

The staff has had it’s troubles, and it needed a face-lift before the trade deadline. That is why before the clock struck 0, Jed Hoyer and co. decided to go out and get another arm to help fill out the back portion of the team’s starting five.

BREAKING: The Cubs are acquiring RHP Michael Soroka from Nationals, per @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/UFXgTa6pXt

— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) July 31, 2025

Soroka, a former All-Star who has played for three teams in the past three seasons, has been looking to find his stride again ever since his successful 2021 campaign. In 16 starts for the Nats this season, the Canadian right-hander has been able to post a stat-line consisting of;

81.1 IP, 3-8 Record, 4.87 ERA, 1.131 WHIP, 87 SO

He has been a serviceable arm throughout his time in the Majors, and he is only 27-years old. The problem? He has had a history of significant injuries; highlighted by his two right achilles tears that costed him his entire 2021 and 2022 seasons. Not only that; the eight-year vet was also sidelined in 2023 with forearm inflammation, and in April of this year with a bicep strain.

He hasn’t really been anything special, and to be honest…….this was really one of the most “meh” trades that Jed Hoyer could’ve possibly made before the deadline. Sure, Soroka is coming to a better “environment” where he will get more run support than when he was with the Nationals. Sure, the team COULD turn him into a long-reliever at some point, depending on the status of their rotation.

But overall? This man is nothing more than a cheap arm that will eat up innings for the Cubs. Nothing special, nothing spectacular; just a guy who’s capable of giving his team 5(ish) innings per start, so that the bullpen doesn’t get overwhelmed with extra work.

Hopefully he changes my mind, and doesn’t turn into more of a detriment than a benefit. But in the end, as always….what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.