Nationals sign RHP Michael Soroka: the Morning Briefing

Good Friday Morning, Washington Nationals fans. Here is the latest about the Washington Nationals organization for Friday, December 20, 2024, and welcome to the Morning Briefing.

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We have some great surprises and even more coverage of the Washington Nationals organization planned for you for the upcoming season; you will not want to miss a thing!

✍️ Welcome to Washington, D.C.. Yesterday afternoon, the Washington Nationals announced they had signed RHP Michael Soroka on a one-year contract. In 2024, Mike Soroka pitched to a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 79.2 innings for the Chicago White Sox. He began the season as a starter but transitioned to the bullpen in mid-May. As a reliever, he excelled, posting a 2.75 ERA, a .189 opponents’ batting average, and a remarkable 15.00 strikeouts per 9 innings. He capped off the year with three dominant outings, striking out 13 of 26 batters.

Before his time with the White Sox, Soroka was a standout pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. In 2019, he was an All-Star and finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, posting a 13-4 record and a 2.68 ERA. Over his career with the Braves, he compiled a 17-8 record and a 3.32 ERA.

The Atlanta Braves drafted Soroka in the first round of the 2015 draft. He was later traded to the Chicago White Sox in November 2023 as part of a five-player deal.

Nats Report perspective: The Nationals' acquisition of Sorka, a 27-year-old right-hander, brings intriguing possibilities to their pitching staff. In 2024, Sorka showcased his versatility with the Chicago White Sox, transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen. While his overall ERA was 4.74, his impressive performance in relief, highlighted by a 2.75 ERA and an impressive 15.00 strikeouts per nine innings, underscores his potential as a high-leverage reliever.

Sorka's recent performances, characterized by his ability to strike out hitters with regularity—as evidenced by his 13 strikeouts in 26 batters faced—demonstrate his potential as a significant contributor to the Nationals' pitching staff. While the team intends to incorporate him into the starting rotation, his overpowering stuff could make him a valuable addition to the bullpen. This versatility allows the Nationals to either utilize him as a temporary solution in the rotation until injured starters return or employ a six-man rotation strategy.

While his long-term role remains uncertain, Sorka's affordable $9 million contract makes him a low-risk, high-reward signing. Whether he continues as a reliever or transitions back to the starting rotation, his impact on the Nationals' pitching staff will likely be substantial. Let's hope that there is more to come in 2025.

🏅 The Power of Baseball. The Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the charitable arm of the Washington Nationals, will present former player Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond with the prestigious Power of Baseball Award at their annual fundraising gala in March 2025. This award recognizes individuals who embody the positive spirit and achievements fostered by the game of baseball. Desmond, a key player in the Nationals' early success, is honored for his unwavering commitment to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. Read More here

💉I'm sorry, so sorry. Former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa has publicly apologized for using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to recover from injuries during his career. The admission comes years after his departure from the Cubs organization.

In a gesture of reconciliation, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts has invited Sosa to attend the 2025 Cubs Convention. Sosa's statement acknowledged his efforts to maintain peak performance while candidly admitting his mistakes. Reuters has the full story. "The Chicago Cubs on Thursday invited Sammy Sosa to the team's offseason convention, a sign that the organization has repaired its relationship with the former star slugger. Sosa, beloved among Cub fans during his 13 years with Chicago, has remained distant from the team since his final season with the club in 2004... Along with his seven All-Star seasons, Sosa won six National League Silver Slugger awards with Chicago and captured the 1998 NL MVP after battling St. Louis's Mark McGwire in a record-breaking home run chase that summer."

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📌 Nolan Arenado leaves door open for Astros trade, free agent being marketed as two-way player (CBS Sports)

📌 5 biggest takeaways from MLB's pitching study (ESPN)

📌What's the latest on Jurickson Profar, Gleyber Torres, Max Scherzer, and others we've heard nothing about? (Yahoo! Sports)

📌A’s Agree To One-Year Deal With Gio Urshela (MLB Trade Rumors)