Cubs’ Trade Deadline Addition Named Stunning ‘X-Factor’ as Team Pushes Down the Stretch

Cubs Trade Deadline Acquisiton Named as 'X-Factor' in New Role Down the Stretch

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Michael Soroka could have an impact as a reliever for the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs acquired Michael Soroka to shore up their starting rotation in second half. But he may end up making their bullpen more dangerous in October.

Soroka was listed as the Cubs’ postseason X-factor by The Athletic, in an article that was published Monday.

Soroka has thrown just two innings in a Cubs uniform since they acquired him from the Washington Nationals for prospects Ronny Cruz and Christian Franklin on July 31. He was placed on the injured list with right-shoulder discomfort but has been ramping up to return before the end of the regular season.

In 17 starts this year, Soroka is 3-8 with a 4.86 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings.

The Cubs are locked into the No. 1 wild card in the National League, sitting 7.5 games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central lead and nine games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds with just 19 games left.

Why Is Michael Soroka The Cubs’ X-Factor?

Soroka is undoubtedly a forgotten man to many Cubs fans, since he has hardly been a factor at all for the team.

Yet, according to Cubs beat writer Sahadev Sharma, Soroka could be the most impactful player for their potential playoff success — especially setting up closer Daniel Palencia, as long as Palencia is OK.

“He won’t be the starter the Cubs hoped they were getting at the trade deadline,” Sharma wrote. “But as Michael Soroka rehabs, it sounds like his velocity is back and he could help the team out of the bullpen down the stretch.”

Sharma cited Soroka’s effectiveness in that role in 2024 while pitching for the Chicago White Sox. After going 0-5 with a 6.39 ERA in nine starts for the White Sox last year, he sported a 2.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and an eye-popping 60 strikeouts in 36 innings while allowing opponents to slash just .189/.303/.291 as a reliever.

“His numbers in that role last season were impressive, and if he can come close to matching them,” Sharma said. “He could help the team win and give time off to key relievers like Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge as the Cubs try to stay fresh and healthy heading into the postseason.”

When Is Michael Soroka Coming Back?

Soroka was replaced with the shoulder injury during his first start for the Cubs against the Reds on Aug. 4. His fastball wasn’t touching 90mph on the radar during that outing.

But according to Marquee Sports Network, he was hitting the mid-90s again in his live-bullpen last week, a huge sign of what he could bring.

“Now we’re back at the point where we’re out there and it feels normal and it’s back in the mid 90s, and we’re happy with that,” Soroka said, according to Marquee. “So it’s good to feel [that].”

Soroka is likely to go on a rehab assignment in the next few days, and as long as all continues to go well, he could be coming out of the bullpen for the Cubs’ final homestand in two weeks.

“It’s nice to be able to go to the live BP and go to rehab assignment, knowing that I have to show it,” Soroka said. “There’s not really a weak link in this entire team. I think everybody’s here for a reason.

“It’s a very deep team and something that I want to be a part of, and I gotta go compete. I gotta go show that I belong.”

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens