Milwaukee Brewers Acquire Joakim Soria for Kodi Medeiros

The Milwaukee Brewers finalized a trade with the Chicago White Sox, acquiring Joakim Soria and cash in exchange for LHP Kodi Medeiros and RHP Wilber Perez.

Who is Joakim Soria?

Soria is 34 and has pitched 11 seasons in the big leagues, splitting time with the Royals (twice), Rangers, Tigers, Pirates and White Sox. Throughout his career, Soria has been a consistent producer, helping to secure the back end of a bullpen.

Over his 11 year career, Soria has a career 2.84 ERA and 1.127 WHIP while pitching in relief. He has accumulated 220 career saves, including two 40 save seasons with the Royals in 2008 and 2009.

This season, Soria has 16 saves in 38.2 innings and an 11.41 K/9. Much of Soria’s success this year has been attributed to his increased strikeout rate, but he is also inducing soft contact 28.8% of the time, which is 10% higher than last season.

Soria has a team option for the 2019 season, which, with the White Sox also sending cash in the deal it appears he will be with the Milwaukee Brewers next season.

What will his role be?

Soria will have a couple different roles in the Brewers bullpen. His biggest role will be to add depth to the bullpen when Hader, Jeffress, or Knebel aren’t available to pitch. But, I also believe that Soria will serve as an insurance policy for Knebel if he continues to struggle in the 9th inning.

Who did the Brewers give up?

The centerpiece of this trade is Kodi Medeiros was the Brewers number 13th prospect according to the MLB Prospect List. Mederios was a first round pick in 2014 by the Brewers and spent the last two seasons in high A before making the AA roster this season.

Scouts rank Medeiros’ fastball at a 55 on a 20-80 scale, and sits around 88-92 MPH with a solid breaking ball that scouted out at 60. Currently, Medeiros projects out as a relief pitcher down the road with the ability to get left-handed hitters out. This season Double-A lefties are hitting .160 against him in 100 at-bats.

Wilbur Perez was also apart of the deal for Soria. Perez has pitched the last two seasons in the Dominican Summer League where he is 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 56.0 innings pitched.

The Milwaukee Brewers have completed their first of what will likely be a couple of moves prior to Tuesday’s deadline. Their biggest remaining needs are starting pitching, and the middle infield.