Free Agent Profile: Mike Soroka, RHP

Position: SP/RP B/T: R/R
Age: 27 (08/04/1997)

2024 Traditional Stats: 0-10, 4.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 25 G, 79.2 IP, 84 SO, 44 BB
2024 Advanced Stats: 87 ERA+, 24.2 K%, 12.7 BB%, 4.55 xERA, 4.95 FIP, 4.54 xFIP, 0.6 WAR

Rundown

Michael Soroka, also known as Mike, is quite an intriguing free agent. Just looking at his statistics listed above, you probably get immediately turned off. During the 2023 season, Soroka posted a 6.40 ERA in only seven appearances. Before that, the last pitch thrown by Mike Soroka was in 2020, where he had made only three starts with 13.2 IP. Things over the last few years have not looked promising.

And right off the rip, 2024 gives you the same standpoint. In games Soroka had started, he posted a 6.39 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP. Nine starts, only about 43 innings. This was not the same pitcher as 2019.

With all of this being said, the Chicago White Sox knew there needed to be a change. On May 14, manager Pedro Grifol decided that moving Soroka to the bullpen would help the team. Although the win column didn’t show that move, it proved to be just that. Soroka brought his competitiveness and willingness to be ready to go whenever needed right into the White Sox pen, posting a 2.75 ERA in 16 games. During this stint in the pen, he dramatically dropped his WHIP and AVG against and had 36 more strikeouts in seven fewer innings.

Mike Soroka could be an interesting arm if used as a reliever, possibly in a long relief type/spot starter type role. Throwing 36 innings in only 16 relief opportunities, he showed that he could easily go multiple innings when needed. His increased strikeout percentage was at an insane 39%, showing teams he can be a true long-relief, mid-leverage type arm.

Contract

MLB Trade Rumors has Soroka projected to receive a two-year, 14 million dollar contract. This feels like somebody David Stearns would love to take a shot on. Soroka has had to battle injuries for the majority of his career, and even in the 2024 campaign, he dealt with a shoulder strain that sidelined him for two months.

This is a player that could be similar to a Jose Butto role for the Mets. Having the option to be a spot starter, and a long relief option, this could be a good fit for the Mets. Especially if the Mets leadership decided to give Butto a chance to win a starting spot, that would leave the Mets needing somebody who can eat innings out of the pen.

We know the Mets have already shown interest in signing Soroka.

Recommendation

Soroka is a low-risk, high-reward type of player. This new Mets regime, headed by Steve Cohen and David Stearns, loves to take risks, especially with pitching. Last year, the two brought in Sean Manaea, ‘the worst pitcher in baseball’ Luis Severino, and leaned on Jose Quintana to get quality innings. They have trust in their pitching lab and believe with tweaks, they could get the most out of players.

Soroka has the potential to be a great bullpen arm, as proven to be this year. While he may never return to being his old self from 2019, he can still be a key contributor to a bullpen with big goals. I would say that acquiring Mike Soroka would be a plus move for the Mets.

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