**Did the Braves Make a Mistake by Trading This Fan Favorite?**
The Atlanta Braves executed a significant trade this offseason, sparking some regret among fans. President of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, typically excels in trades, but this one has raised questions.
In November, the Braves traded a five-player package, including right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka, to the Chicago White Sox for reliever Aaron Bummer. Soroka has impressed during spring training, boasting a 2.00 ERA in three starts with twelve strikeouts over nine innings.
Jake Mastroianni, host of the Locked on Braves podcast, addressed this trade in a recent mailbag episode. He believes it wasn’t a mistake for several reasons. First, spring training statistics can be misleading. Soroka’s performance, while promising, doesn’t guarantee he’s back to his “Maple Maddux” form. The crucial factors are his pitch velocities, movement, and any new tweaks to his arsenal, which we lack comprehensive data on.
Secondly, Soroka’s injury history complicates his roster status. After nearly three full seasons on the injured list following his 2020 Achilles tear and re-rupture, he has no minor league options left. This means if he didn’t secure a spot in the Opening Day rotation, the Braves would have to designate him for assignment, risking losing him via waivers.
Faced with either risking losing Soroka for nothing or trading him, the Braves opted for the latter. Jake suggests this was the best decision for both parties. Soroka now has the chance to start fresh with the White Sox, where there’s less pressure to win immediately, allowing him to refine his skills without the burden of high expectations.
If Soroka does return to top form, Jake hopes the Braves can trade for him again, wishing for his successful return to Atlanta’s rotation.
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