As the 2023 MLB season quickly approaches, the Chicago Cubs are running out of time to improve their pitching rotation.
While many of their starters from 2022 are making a return, it also means they haven’t made the moves they need to make ahead of Opening Day.
With the free agency pool drying up, the Cubs need to make a trade to improve their pitching roster.
One potential trade target is the Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka.
Soroka is a 25-year-old stud who can make a major impact on the starting rotation for the Cubs.
In his second season in the majors, he recorded a 13-4 record in 29 starts with a 2.68 ERA.
However, he hasn’t thrown a pitch during the regular season in the MLB since 2020.
During that season, he tore his Achilles, which later turned into a disaster for him.
Braves teammates react to Mike Soroka’s season-ending injury ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/lbh4JuajJq
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 4, 2020
Since tearing his Achilles in 2020, he’s torn it a second time and also had a soreness in his elbow.
Mike Soroka is going on the injured list with elbow soreness, according to a source. There is no structural damage. This ends his season.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) September 22, 2022
These things have kept him off the mound for over two years.
While it could give the Cubs a shot at trading for him, the Braves likely won’t trade Soroka.
With his talent, the Braves know his value and will not trade him away.
They know he can get back to his elite status, which he was showing everyone back in 2019.
With him being both talented and young, prying him away from the Braves isn’t happening.
While he can be a major upgrade for the Cubs pitching staff, the Braves will keep Soroka and put him back into their starting rotation when he’s healthy.
NEXT: Cubs Make Shocking Roster Move To Accommodate Hosmer Signing