NY Mets rumors: 1 pitcher who could benefit from a Mike Soroka signing

The New York Mets have recently been connected to right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka. Soroka is coming off an interesting season with the Chicago White Sox. He started the year in their rotation but struggled mightily. The former Rookie of the Year candidate made nine starts, pitching to a 6.39 ERA, 6.76 FIP, and 1.51 WHIP. He walked as many batters as he struck out, with 24 of each in 43.2 innings, and averaged over two home runs per nine innings, clocking in with a 2.06 HR/9.

Soroka’s struggles eventually led to him getting moved to the bullpen, but he then went on to thrive in this role. Soroka pitched 36 innings from here on out, working to a 2.75 ERA and FIP, with a 1.22 WHIP. His K% soared to nearly 40% at 39%, while his HR/9 ratio dramatically fell to just 0.75. Walks gave Soroka trouble, given his 13% BB%, but Soroka performed a complete 180 on his season.

Signing Mike Soroka can help out or even elevate another Mets reliever

The Mets could definitely use some bullpen help. Last year, they were about league average in ERA, FIP, and WHIP. However, one pitcher who could greatly benefit from adding Mike Soroka is Jose Butto. Butto primarily served as a swingman for the Mets in 2024. He started seven of his 30 total appearances and pitched 74 innings. 

Butto performed well when he played, pitching to a 2.55 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP. The right-hander struck out 26.9% of opponents with a strong 0.73 HR/9 rate. But Butto struggled with walks, handing out a free pass to 12.9% of opponents. But he had a strong season and could be in the running for an Opening Day rotation spot.

Signing Soroka could give the Mets the opportunity to give Butto a look in the rotation early next year. Soroka wasn’t used in a single-inning relief role once he was moved to the pen. A dozen of Soroka’s 16 appearances out of the bullpen lasted longer than one inning, with seven of those appearances going at least three frames. If the Mets signed Soroka, he’d take over a similar role to what Butto served last year.