Soroka, still only 28 years old, already signs the second free agent contract of his career. He signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nats last offseason after an uneven year with the White Sox, in which he struggled mightily as a starting pitcher before later putting up big numbers as a reliever. Washington landed Soroka in a starting role again in 2025, ultimately trading him to the Cubs at the trade deadline. Soroka posted a mediocre 4.52 ERA in 89 2/3 innings (17 starts, six relief appearances), but continued to intrigue with sharp rate stats: 25.1% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate, 44.1% ground-ball rate.
Arizona needs help both in the rotation and in the bullpen, so even though Soroka is headed to the starting staff, he could be a throwback to the bullpen if the original plan doesn’t work out. For now he joins the trio of Ryne Nelson, Eduardo Rodriguez And Brandon Pfaadt as one of manager Torey Lovullo’s starters.
It wasn’t long ago that Soroka looked like one of the game’s most promising young players. The 2015 first-round pick was ranked as one of baseball’s best players prior to his debut with Atlanta, and the first two seasons of his career more than justified that billing. In 200 1/3 innings from his call-up in late 2018 through the end of the 2019 season, Soroka pitched to a sparkling 2.79 earned run average. His 20% strikeout rate was below average, but he made up for that with an excellent 5.9% walk rate, 50.2% grounder rate, and plenty of weak contact.
Injuries decimated the next few years of Soroka’s career and ultimately pushed him out of the Braves’ plans. He has torn his Achilles tendon twice and has also missed time due to multiple shoulder injuries and a biceps strain. Soroka has yet to reach 100 innings in a Major League season since that excellent 2018-19 run; in fact, he’s thrown just 215 1/3 total big league innings since then — just 15 more than he threw in that first MLB run.
Soroka will be one of many additions to general manager Mike Hazen’s rotation. The D-backs entered the offseason in dire need of pitching depth. Of the aforementioned trio of starters, only Nelson (3.39 ERA, 154 innings) posted good results last year. Both Rodriguez and Pfaadt posted ERAs north of 5.00, although both (particularly Pfaadt) were viewed more favorably by field-independent metrics.
Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick has already indicated that the payroll will decrease after last year’s cap passed the $200 million mark for the first time in franchise history. However, he has also made it clear that despite this reduction, the team is fully committed to continuing to compete. It is not clear exactly where the final budget will be, but Hazen and his staff should have sufficient spending power even if the budget is reduced. The addition of Soroka pushes next year’s projected payroll to just over $151 million, per RosterResource.
Arizona has also looked at reuniting with Righty Merrill Kellywho they traded to the Rangers in July prior to his departure as a free agent this offseason. There is mutual interest, although Kelly’s annual salary will likely be more than double what Soroka just ordered. Pete Fairbanks is a known target on the bullpen side of things, though he’s certainly just one of many. In any case, the D-backs are also listening to other clubs who are inquiring about a second baseman Kettle Martealthough a trade is considered unlikely, and they are listening to offers for left-handed outfielders Alex Thomas And Jake McCarthy.
Suffice it to say, it’ll be a busy few days for the D-backs in Orlando at this week’s Winter Meetings, though it’s unlikely they’ll check off every item on their to-do list before the MLB’s premier offseason event concludes.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Jeff Passan first reported the one-year agreement between the two parties. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic First reported the salary conditions, incentives and Soroka’s role.
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