Report: Canadian RHP Michael Soroka in agreement on one-year, $9M deal with Nationals

December 19, 2024 - 5:06pm

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Soroka throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, May 12, 2024, in Chicago. (Melissa Tamez/AP)

The Calgary native has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, the team announced on Thursday.

While the financial terms were not disclosed, MLB insider Robert Murray reported that the contract is worth $9 million.

Soroka spent 2024 with the Chicago White Sox, working as a starter and a reliever. He was much more effective once he moved to the bullpen, carrying a 2.75 ERA and .189 batting average against while striking out 39 per cent of the hitters he faced in relief.

Earlier this off-season, The Athletic reported that teams viewed Soroka as a candidate to return to a rotation in 2025. However, it is currently unclear how the Nationals will choose to deploy the 27-year-old next summer.

The Canadian has battled multiple injuries throughout his career, including two Achilles tendon tears. In 2019, Soroka emerged as one of the best young starters in baseball with the Atlanta Braves, earning a trip to the All-Star Game, Cy Young votes and a second-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

His efforts in 2019 earned him the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award, which goes to the “Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.”

Injuries cost the six-foot-five righty to miss most of 2020 and all of 2021 and 2022. Since returning, he owns a 5.22 ERA in 112 innings.

Last November, Soroka was traded from Atlanta to the White Sox as part of a package for reliever Aaron Bummer.

Soroka's deal with Washington reportedly allows Soroka to earn $25,000 for an All-Star election or selection, $100,000 for league MVP honours, $100,000 for a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for second- through fifth-place finishes in Cy Young voting, $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship MVP, $100,000 for comeback player of the year, $25,000 for a Gold Glove award and $50,000 for a Silver Slugger.

--with files from The Associated Press

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