HOUSTON -- There was a strong possibility Michael Soroka had made his last start with the Nationals when he reflected on the upcoming Trade Deadline on Tuesday night at Daikin Park.
“I think it's just one at a time, wherever it may be. Point at the mound, I'll go throw,” Soroka said. “The Nationals have done really well by me, and it's been fun. Whatever happens, happens. But it’s a good place, a lot of good guys. I think I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
The right-hander’s “next” came 24 hours later.
2025 MLB Trade Deadline
• Carlos Correa traded back to Astros in Deadline stunner (source)
• SD gets Mason Miller, JP Sears for No. 3 overall prospect, 3 more
• Yanks add SF's Doval to 'pen overhaul; NY also nets Bednar, Bird (source)
• Mets get CF help with Cedric Mullins trade
• Trade tracker
• Tracking prospects dealt
The Nationals traded Soroka to the Cubs in exchange for Chicago’s Nos. 13 and 14 prospects, shortstop Ronny Cruz and outfielder Christian Franklin on Wednesday night, the eve of the Trade Deadline.
Soroka had signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nats this past offseason and returned to the starting rotation.
TRADE DETAILS
Nationals receive: INF Ronny Cruz (Cubs’ No. 13 prospect), OF Christian Franklin (Cubs’ No. 14)
Cubs receive: RHP Michael Soroka
Cruz -- an 18-year-old, 2024 third-round Draft pick -- is playing at Rookie Level this season. He is batting .270 with 10 doubles, six triples, two home runs, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 48 games with the Arizona Complex League Cubs.
MLB Pipeline says:
With a quick right-handed swing and projectable strength in his still-growing 6-foot-2 frame, Cruz already displays plus raw power in batting practice. He generated some of the highest exit velocities during BP at the MLB Draft Combine and could produce 25 or more homers on an annual basis once he's fully developed. There are questions about his hitting ability because he can be overly aggressive and doesn't have much history facing quality pitching, and those concerns remain after his ACL stint.
Cruz isn't especially quick out of the batter's box but flashed plus straight-line speed after turning pro with his knee fully healthy. Out of the Draft, Chicago believed he has the actions and plus arm strength to remain at shortstop, and if he outgrows the position, center field could be Plan B. Even if he needs to move to third base with the Nationals, he has the tools to handle himself there too. By getting Cruz before his 19th birthday, Washington should get to control the long road of his development as an upside play.
Franklin, 25, is pursuing the Major Leagues in Triple-A this season. He batted .265 with a .820 OPS, 20 doubles, four triples, eight homers, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 86 games with the Iowa Cubs. Franklin was selected by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2021 Draft.
MLB Pipeline says:
Franklin hits the ball hard and has a disciplined approach that helped him lead the Double-A Southern League in on-base percentage (.398) and walks (71) last year, but he also makes a lot of groundball contact and struggles with sliders and changeups, leading to inconsistent offensive production. He displays plus raw power in batting practice, yet doesn’t drive the ball in the air in games, and four of his five homers last year snuck out down the right-field line. His right-handed swing gets long and he'll miss some hittable pitches in the zone.
An average runner out of the batter's box but quicker underway, Franklin stole 34 bases in 41 attempts last season. He makes good reads and takes good routes in the outfield, where his range grades as average in center and solid on the corners. He played all three outfield spots in 2025 with a primary focus on center. His arm plays from anywhere, aiding his chances at being a fourth outfielder in his new organization.
A starter in his career, Soroka moved to the White Sox bullpen last season. He was signed to join the Nationals rotation, and he went 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA in 16 starts across 81 1/3 innings.
In his past four outings, Soroka recorded a 3.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts and a .200 opponents’ batting average while adjusting to a dip in his velocity. Soroka entered Tuesday’s start with the best slurve in baseball -- a 43.9 percent strikeout rate, 38.6 percent whiff rate and .117 opponents’ batting average -- per Baseball Savant.
Earlier in the day, the Nationals traded veteran relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García to the Angels in exchange for Minor League first baseman Sam Brown and left-hander Jake Eder.