News broke on Thursday night that the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox agreed on a six-player trade, with former All-Star Mike Soroka being one of the focal points.
Soroka was an All-Star for the Braves in 2019. He also finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in National League Cy Young voting that season. But things have been more of a grind recently. He missed all of 2021 and 2022 with injuries and appeared in only seven games for the Braves in 2023. Now, it’s time to see if a change of scenery can help the 26-year-old Soroka revitalize his career.
It was reported on Thursday night that Soroka was being traded to the Chicago White Sox, along with left-handed pitcher Jared Shuster, right-handed pitcher Riley Gowens, as well as infielders Nicky Lopez and INF Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake. In exchange, the Braves will be receiving left-handed pitcher Aaron Bummer from Chicago.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the deal, which was later confirmed by both the Braves and White Sox.
NEWS: In Thursday night trade, White Sox acquire RHP Mike Soroka, LHP Jared Shuster, RHP Riley Gowens, INF Nicky Lopez and INF Braden Shewmake from Braves for LHP Aaron Bummer.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 17, 2023
The trade caught the attention of MLB fans.
🚨 Weird trade alert 🚨 https://t.co/PFTv2yIBtl
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) November 17, 2023
Weirdest trade I've seen in a while, BUT it's not a coincidence that all of these players aside from Riley Gowens were on the Braves 40 Man roster. https://t.co/AYADsMns8s
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) November 17, 2023
Oh hello? https://t.co/CrjomJsdp4
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) November 17, 2023
The Braves used a lot of players who didn't fit their future to acquire Bummer, a reliever, who posted a 6.79 ERA in 61 appearances for the White Sox last year. He had a 3.14 ERA in 94 app. from 2021-22. Only surprise here is Nicky Lopez. He seemed to be a great fit. https://t.co/VXJGUgybJW
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) November 17, 2023
I can’t believe the White Sox just got five players for Aaron Bummer…
What? https://t.co/5If4NjgDmv
— Elijah Evans (@ElijahEv8) November 17, 2023
Bummer had a 6.79 ERA with a 1.526 for the White Sox in 2023. He did maintain a good strikeout rate, striking out 12 hitters per nine innings.
From 2017-2022, though, Bummer had a 3.03 ERA, 1.245 WHIP and a 9.7 K/9 rate. The Braves are clearly hoping that he can return to his pre-2023 form and like what they see from his peripherals.
[Jon Morosi, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox]
