(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly actively shopping right-handed starting pitcher Erick Fedde ahead of the MLB trade deadline. The move signals a strategic shift aimed at optimizing the roster and paving the way for emerging talent.
Fedde, acquired by the Cardinals in the Tommy Edman trade last deadline, is on an expiring contract, making him a prime candidate for a trade. While his $7.5 million salary for this season isn’t prohibitive, his performance in 2025 has been a mixed bag. After a strong showing in 2024, which saw him post a 3.30 ERA across 177.1 innings between the White Sox and Cardinals, his 2025 campaign has been less consistent. Through 98.2 innings, Fedde carries a 4.83 ERA, a concerning drop in his strikeout rate (13.5%), and an elevated walk rate (10.7%). These struggles have undoubtedly impacted his trade value.
Young Arms Make Fedde Expendable
The Cardinals’ motivation to move Fedde stems from several factors. Primarily, the organization is keen to create opportunities for younger arms. Michael McGreevy, a highly regarded pitching prospect, is reportedly deemed ready for a rotation spot in the big leagues. Additionally, top pitching prospects like Tekoah Roby are finding success in Triple-A, further bolstering the team’s internal pitching depth. With Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas (who has a no-trade clause) holding down rotation spots, Fedde becomes the most logical piece to move.
Club officials, including manager Oli Marmol, have hinted at a need for a rotation shake-up. Recent inconsistent performances from Fedde have made him a focal point in these discussions. The Cardinals are looking to “find a solution to what’s going on” with their pitching, and trading Fedde could be the first step in that process.
Lukewarm Market for Fedde
However, the current trade market for Fedde is likely to be lukewarm. His 2025 statistics make him less appealing as a front-end or even middle-of-the-rotation starter for a contending team. He might garner interest as a back-end filler or a “live arm” for an injury-depleted squad.
The Cardinals may even need to consider eating a portion of his remaining salary to facilitate a trade and secure a better return, however modest that return may be.
For the Cardinals, the move is less about acquiring significant prospects and more about strategic roster management. By trading Fedde, they open up a spot for McGreevy, gain financial flexibility, and potentially clear a path for other promising young pitchers.
Commitment to the Future
While Fedde’s departure might not net a blockbuster return, it signifies the Cardinals’ commitment to developing their farm system and building for the future, even as they attempt to remain competitive in the present. The coming days leading up to the trade deadline will reveal whether the Cardinals can find a suitor for Fedde and set the wheels in motion for their revamped pitching staff.
