Nats trade Soroka to Cubs for two top prospects (updated)

The Nationals continued their sell-off this evening by sending right-hander Michael Soroka to the Cubs, a source confirmed to MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman.

In return, the Nats are getting 18-year-old infielder Ronny Cruz and 25-year-old outfielder Christian Franklin.

Soroka, signed to a one-year, $9 million contract in December, finishes his time with the Nats with a 3-8 record, 4.87 ERA, 1.131 WHIP and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings over 16 starts.

Though his last start was his shortest with Washington both in terms of innings (3 ⅓) and pitches (74), he only surrendered two runs on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts. That helped make Soroka’s underlying numbers – 3.32 xERA and 4.12 FIP – more desirable than his traditional stats.

Soroka is also good in short spurts. Going back to his success as a reliever last year with the White Sox, he posted a 2.75 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in 16 appearances out of the bullpen. Through the first three innings this year, Soroka had a 3.00 ERA. The deeper in the game he got, the worse he got: In innings four through six, he had a 7.66 ERA.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal. Zuckerman was first with the return.

Along with this afternoon’s trade of relievers Luis García and Andrew Chafin to the Angels, this move brings back significant prospects from Chicago.

Cruz is a shortstop who was drafted in the third round out of high school in 2024 and was the Cubs’ No. 13 ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He’s hitting .270 with a .745 OPS, 10 doubles, six triples, two home runs, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in rookie ball.

Per Pipeline, Cruz’s right-handed swing displays raw power and generates high exit velocities, projecting to produce 25-plus homers. And his arm strength could keep him at shortstop, but his athleticism allows him to play all over the field.

Franklin, the Cubs’ No. 14 prospect, is a former fourth-round pick (2021) out of the University of Arkansas. He’s hit .265 with an .820 OPS, 20 doubles, four triples, eight homers, 41 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 63 walks this season at Triple-A.

He clearly shows discipline at the plate dating back to when he led the Double-A Southern League in on-base percentage (.398) and walks (71) last year. And despite the shortage of longballs, scouts say he does display raw power.

This is the third move the Nationals have made ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline.

Before sending García and Chafin to the Angels, they also traded infielder Amed Rosario to the Yankees over the weekend.

Interim general manager Mike DeBartolo doesn’t figure to be done yet. He is still expected to shop three more veterans on expiring contracts in Kyle Finnegan, Josh Bell and Paul DeJong. And it remains to be seen if he’ll get serious offers for players who remain under club control beyond 2025, like first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and ace MacKenzie Gore.

Update: The Nationals officially announced the trade.