"$9,000,000 is insane" - Fans react to Nationals signing Michael Soroka after 0-10 record in 2024 with White Sox

The Chicago White Sox were one of the worst teams in the majors last season, and Michael Soroko played his part, pitching to a 0-10 record and 4.74 ERA. Despite a disappointing season, Soroka received interest and as of Thursday, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the deal is worth $9 million. Soroka, 27, will be moved back to the starting role for the Nats, as reported by insider Ken Rosenthal. In May, he was moved to the bullpen after which he stitched a 2.75 ERA.

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Nonetheless, fans were not convinced Soroka deserved this much money:

"9M is insane," one fan commented on X/Twitter.

"9 million dollars, I thought analytics was supposed to help prevent wasting $," another fan wrote.

"I get he pitched good out of the pen but his half a season as a starter was ridiculously bad and probably should have earned him a trip to AAA, I'm glad the Sox didn't waste 9 mil on him," another fan added.

Another fan assessed where he belongs:

"Good luck with that! Lololol dude is a desperation start, not someone you want to intentionally put out there every 5th game. Pretty decent in the pen, though."

"Great signing for the Nationals," another fan posted.

Michael Soroka's fit with Washington Nationals

Though Michael Soroka thrived in the bullpen, he is expected to get back the starting role, joining a young Nationals rotation of right-hander Jake Irvin and left-handers MacKenzie Gore, DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker.

Some of the Nats starters including Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray are still rehabbing from Tommy John surgeries.

Soroka too has had his fair share of injuries. He missed the entire 2021 and ‘22 seasons due to a right Achilles tendon injury. At the time he was with the Atlanta Braves, where manager Brian Snitker called him "determined."

The Nationals themselves are not that competitive but they are treading along betting their young core come out swinging in 2025. Meanwhile, Soroka will hope to forget the 2024 season and start on a fresh note with the Nats next year.

What do you think of Michael Soroka's one-year deal with the Washington Nationals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

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Edited by Veer Badani