The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move by trading for starting pitcher Mike Soroka shortly before last week's deadline, but the early signs suggest that this decision may not yield the desired results. Soroka exited his debut start with the Cubs after only two innings of play due to shoulder discomfort, leading to his subsequent placement on the injured list.

Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, acknowledged that the trade appears less favorable in hindsight. According to remarks reported by ESPN's Jesse Rogers, Hoyer stated, 'We knew the velocity was trending down. We talked through that extensively. Given the market, given the asking price ... we felt like it was a good bet to make. Right now, it's not looking like a good bet.' Soroka's final starts with the Washington Nationals also revealed a concerning decline in velocity, raising red flags about his health.

Before the trade, Soroka underwent an MRI that fortunately did not show any injuries. However, his performance statistics this season include a 3-8 record, a 4.86 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP across 17 starts. The uncertainty around how long Soroka will be sidelined presents a challenge for the Cubs, who are aiming to strengthen their roster as they pursue a deep postseason run.