Michael Soroka Attracting Interest as Both Starter and Reliever

Michael Soroka lost his spot in the White Sox rotation in mid-May after posting a 6.39 ERA in nine starts. However, after being moved to the bullpen, Soroka excelled, raising his profile as a free agent reliever this winter. According to Will Sammon, Katie Woo, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, while some clubs have shown interest in Soroka as a bullpen option, he has drawn more interest as a starting pitcher early in the offseason.

The New York Mets are among the teams expressing interest in Soroka. The report suggests that the only teams viewing him primarily as a reliever are those with mostly full rotations, potentially including the Mariners, Rays, Phillies, and Astros.

For those familiar with Soroka's career, the possibility of him returning to a starting role is neither surprising nor uninteresting. Soroka has predominantly worked as a starter throughout his professional career. Before his series of injuries in Atlanta, the former top prospect was on track to become a high-end rotation piece for the Braves. Between 2018 and 2019, Soroka pitched 200 1/3 innings with a stellar 2.79 ERA, a 20% strikeout rate, and a 5.9% walk rate.

​As the offseason progresses, Soroka's dual potential as both a starter and reliever makes him an intriguing target for teams looking to bolster their pitching staff. His performance and health will be key factors in determining his role and impact in the upcoming season.