It wasn’t that long ago that the Atlanta Braves believed that Michael Soroka was going to be penciled in at the top of the team’s rotation for years to come. However, the starter would tear his Achilles tendon in both 2020 and 2021, severely changing the trajectory of his career and eventually resulting in the two sides parting ways. However, the starter has managed to put his career back on track, even if it hasn’t reached the expected heights.

This was evidenced earlier this week with the former Brave signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams. It is a great opportunity for the right-hander to continue to put things back on track.

Michael Sorokoa-Braves Reunion Likely Wasn’t on the Table

For the Braves, there should be zero regret of opting against a reunion based on the talent they’ve already assembled in the rotation. If the season started today, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, and Spencer Schwellenbach would fill out the first four spots in the rotation. Atlanta has the option to add to the position or lean on one of Reynaldo Lopez or Grant Holmes, with the other reinforcing Atlanta’s bullpen.

In the 2019 season with Atlanta, Soroka went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts and appeared to be the Braves’ next ace. While things clearly didn’t play out this way, there is still plenty of ability with Soroka rebuilding confidence with the Washington Nationals and pitching at an incredible high level at the end of last season in a short stint with the Chicago Cubs. It was a small sample size, but a 1.08 ERA and eight strikeouts in six games (8 1/3 innings) isn’t anything to sneeze at.

While the Braves no longer are a fit for the former top prospect, fans will continue to pull for the starter anytime he is on the mound, facing any lineup that isn’t Atlanta’s. This speaks to a fan base that understands what the starter has been through and what a long road it has been back to relevance and having a chance to sign in an offseason and join a capable rotation.

For Arizona, it is a solid first offseason move as the franchise continues to attempt to put together a contending core two years after falling just short in the World Series. Bringing in Soroka is a great first step and a move that Atlanta fans love to see as they continue to anxiously await their franchise making much-needed moves of their own.