The Cardinals have “strong interest” in White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale this morning. Fedde is among a number of controllable pieces that the White Sox have made available this summer, alongside breakout left-hander Garrett Crochet and star center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
Fedde, 31, lacks the star power of either Crochet or Robert but is nonetheless one of the most attractive pieces expected to be available this summer. The former first-round pick was a consensus top-100 prospect in baseball in the late 2010’s but generally struggled at the big league level after debuting with the Nationals back in 2017. In parts of six season with the club, Fedde posted a lackluster 5.41 ERA in 102 appearances, including 88 starts. Those struggles led Fedde to depart affiliate ball to pitch in the Korea Baseball Organization last year, and the stint overseas hardly could’ve gone better for the righty. In an MVP campaign for the NC Dinos, Fedde posted a sterling 2.00 ERA in 180 1/3 innings of work across 30 starts while striking out 29.5% of batters faced.
The righty’s success overseas earned him renewed stateside interest this past winter, and the White Sox ultimately pounced by offering him a two-year, $15MM guarantee. The deal has gone about as well as anyone could’ve have hoped so far. Through 19 starts this season, Fedde appears to be an entirely different pitcher than he was in his days with the Nationals. His 21.6% strikeout rate is a near-match for his career-best mark from 2021, and his 6.6% walk rate is by far the lowest of his MLB career. After allowing a whopping 18.1% of his fly balls to the leave the yard for home runs during his time with the Nationals, Fedde has greatly improved in that regard this year as well with just 9.2% of his fly balls ending up in the stands so far. In all, that’s left Fedde with an excellent 2.99 ERA (138 ERA+) and a solid 3.53 FIP (82 FIP-) in 111 1/3 innings of work this season.
That sort of production would be welcome in virtually any contender’s rotation, and it’s surely all the more enticing for clubs that Fedde is under control for the 2025 season at a bargain $7.5MM price tag as well. That combination of low financial cost, team control, and production makes Fedde a strong candidate for virtually any pitching-hungry team in the league, so it’s easy to see why the Cardinals would have interest in the right-hander’s services.
Injury woes have kept veteran lefty Steven Matz out of action since late April, forcing the Cardinals to rely on pieces like Andre Pallante and Matthew Liberatore to fill out the rotation behind Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, Miles Mikolas, and Kyle Gibson. Even that front quartet has yielded mix results, with Gray and Gibson’s solid numbers being offset by the struggles of Lynn and Mikolas. Altogether, Cardinals starters this season have delivered a lackluster 4.43 ERA that ranks in the bottom ten among all major league clubs.
Despite those woes in the rotation, St. Louis has surged since an early-season slump and is currently sitting at a 52-47 record that places them firmly in the NL Wild Card picture and just five games back of the Brewers for the NL Central crown. The addition of a quality, playoff-caliber starter to their rotation would be a huge boost not only for their chances of making it into the postseason, but also for their odds in a potential Wild Card series, where Fedde could pair with Gray to make an impressive front two that could go toe-to-toe with most contenders in the NL. What’s more, Fedde’s additional year of team control could make him a particularly attractive option for a club that currently boasts 33-year-old Matz as the youngest arm in the rotation, and could stand to lose both Gibson and Lynn to free agency this winter if the club declines their club options on the veteran duo.
As a Cardinal fan this is not the guy I want. He’s playing great but he doesn’t have much of a track record. He’s signed through 2025 and that’s when Matz and Mikolas’ contracts end and perhaps when Gibson and Lynn’s end they each have a 2025 team option.
I want Robert. And the team needs a quality lefty starter. I guess it all depends on what it would cost but this isn’t the deal I want the team to make.
The salary for 2025 is only 7.5 million. That’s worth the risk of him returning to his career norm. I like this as long as they don’t want the entire farm.
Luis Robert is controlled at modest money through 2027 and is arguably a star level talent in mlb already…you build around people like that not trade them..that said..if chicago doesnt clean out someones farm in any trade getz should be fired immediatley
I like the Fedde move a lot more than going after one of the ChiSox top two. He won’t be super cheap given the market but he won’t take one of your top prospects either. The Cards shouldn’t be in “all in mode” but a good boost to the rotation to offset Matz would give them a fighting chance in the playoffs and maybe the NL Central. Plus it fills a hole for next year at a very cost friendly price. As of right now it looks like they pick up Gibson option and decline Lynn’s he’d be a much needed upgrade
I don’t see the Cardinals having the prospect capital to get a Robert or Crochet. Another team would have to get involved to make it happen.
Fedde is probably an achievable goal.
Mathews/Hence/Roby
They could get involved. But the cost will be too high.
Absurd offer of potential aces way to replicate what Mo gave up in Gallen and alcantara
They could get Robert if they trade Walker. He was at one point the number 1 overall prospect in baseball. His value has plummeted since but he’s still valuable.
Not straight-up they won’t.
Blackpink: I want the Cards back in the PO where they belong, too. Fedde is a different P than he was in ’22. I think he could help. Robert and Crochet are as good as gone and I wouldn’t mind them going to a contender or help a team like the Cards become serious contenders.
If Fedde was a lefty I would like him more. I was thinking Montgomery or Quintana but the Diamondbacks and Mets have played themselves back into contention lately.
Maybe Robert and Fedde both. I wonder what that would take.
So you would rather have Montgomery at -1.3 WAR and his 1 year, 25M contract than Fedde’s 4.4 WAR and 2 year 15M contract because he’s a lefty and has a “track record”? I guarantee no GMs agree with you.
I think Montgomery is a better player from now until the end of 2025. And the fact that Montgomery makes a lot means he wouldn’t cost much in prospects to acquire. I was thinking Matz for Montgomery but like I said now that the Diamondbacks have started winning again it doesn’t make sense.
If Montgomery was a stock I would be buying. If Fedde was a stock I would sell.
Would the cardinals try to bring flaherty back?
I doubt it. He says he would be cool with coming back but I just don’t think they will bring him back. Personally I would be OK with it. I would take him over Fedde.
They would agree if the difference in cost is large enough to justify the risk of rolling the dice on a Montgomery bounceback
Cost may be too high for two months of Jack. He’s very talented but not competitive in his nature. When things go south in his starts, he doesn’t buckle down.
This is the kind of ridiculous comment that you can make because you know that no one will come back in 18 months to call you on it. Fedde with yet another terrific start yesterday, and his WAR now up to 4.7 (2nd behind only Skubal), ERA at 2.98 and his record is somehow 7-3 with the horrific White Sox. Also – batted ball metrics for the two are dramatically different, with no one hitting the ball hard against Fedde and with Montgomery getting hit harder than every in his career (35% vs. career of 30%).
Can I assume you were buying Enron on ‘the dips’ and selling Nvidia because it is ‘too hot’? The reason you’d pay more for Fedde than Montgomery right now is not just the contracts, it’s because the world has watched both of them pitch this year.
Mariners are getting Robert; they have the trade chips to beat any other offer except Orioles but Orioles don’t want Robert.
Gorman/Roby gets it done
I like Gorman as a player return but the Sox want prospects. He’s got 2 years in already. That’s my guess.
Saggase and Herrera might tempt the Sox.
I can’t see them trading Herrera as there is nothing left at catcher if Pages or Contreras go down.
Jimmy Crooks is doing very well in AA. He could be the second catcher in a pinch. They have another higher rated catcher in high A.
Who wants Gorman? Insane hitting for two weeks then cools down rest of the season. Would do well in Colorado
Gorman also just turned 24. Plenty of teams would be interested with how high his ceiling is if they can mitigate the slumps.
How do you mitigate slumps?
His age is worth to trade for but not if you want a lot back
You teach him a better approach at the plate and how to make better adjustments? That’s literally what a hitting coach is for
There is just 9 days remaining until the deadline. Why does everyone feel like they have to wait until the last minute? As closely packed as the races are, to me it seems like getting stronger 3-4 games earlier would be even more important this year. Plus sellers are risking injuries every day they wait. Even a minor injury may cost them dearly.
It’s a high stakes poker game, and everyone is trying to read each other. It’s going to drag until the deadline…
Gray/Fedde in a 5 game series.. Sign me up.
Pretty soon teams will be reviewing videos of people who tossed the honorary first pitch at home games in search of pitchers.
So the reality is that the Cardinals have NO interest in Fedde. How do we know my statement is true? Nightengale said they had interest and everything he says turns out to be the opposite of the truth. .
Exactly. Ppl are fools if they trust Nightendale.
If Nightengale consistently reported false information on purpose don’t you think MLBTR would finally stop reporting on his articles?
Would Roby, hence, walker, graceffo, herrera and gorman, get robert, fedde and crochet? Would be a heck of a blockbuster. Cards get a power hitting center fielder and two starters and the whitesox would get 3 top prospects and a starting catcher, second baseman and walker.
I’m sure the cards would need to throw in liberatore or pallante and another prospect but the cards have the pieces
The cardinals don’t want to part with Gorman and the white Sox wouldn’t want Gorman or walker since they are probably too old for them
Walker makes sense for the White Sox. Gorman not so much.
Robert and Fedde is perhaps possible.
Blackpink you are dreaming or you are trolling.
I am dreaming to think the White Sox would want Walker?
Probably not…..
I think Walker’s stock is down. I think Mozeliak may have ruined him. The Lustre is definitely not as shiny on this prospect as it once was. It would take Walker + a couple other pieces and I’m just saying other teams have more covet-worthy trade chips. The Cardinals will be doing something very modest, and you should be beyond gleeful and exuberant if they trade for Fedde.
‘Mozeliak ruined him.’
Livin’ up to that user name…
News flash: 24 teams have serious interest in all available pitching.
News flash: dodgers haven’t won a legitimate ring since 1988.
Whatever makes you feel better about yourself Jonny.
Fedde is perfect for the Orioles. Exactly the guy they need – an experienced mid-rotation arm that can eat innings.
He can pitch easily in front of that defense, and will get run support as good as any team in MLB can provide.
O’s can come up with a nice number of good prospects and hold onto their best ones.
Yeah-been saying that for a while. Norby could be the main prospect heading back. WSox need everyday players that have been properly taught.
Makes too much sense as a win-win.
It’s about value. If you think the WSox are going to give up a valuable asset for a bucket of balls, think again. A controllable SP in a playoff race is worth more than you think. In Fedde’s case at least one MLB top 100 prospect, and a Orioles top 30 prospect with upside.. Matter of fact, Fedde has a winning record, a 2.99 ERA, 99ks vs 30bbs, and a 1.13 WHIP. That would cement him as a 3-4 in that rotation. Mind you, all those stats come with a team that’s over 50 games under .500 mark, which makes his stats even more impressive.
Would victor Scott be enough for fedde?
Similar to the Aaron civale-Kyle manzardo deal
Rarely is a major league player traded for a single prospect.
Prospects are not certain to pan out so teams prefer getting several in the hopes that at least one will actually prove to be useful.
It would take at least Scott and a good pitching prospect for the Sox to even consider it.
No , Scott is not enough. Scott would be the throw in.
Probably not. His numbers in AAA aren’t very good.
Man, I don’t trust Fedde one little bit.
Robert was heavily scouted by the Cardinals years ago before he signed with the White Sox. He makes plenty of sense. With Siani around the team would be covered in case he does get hurt because Siani can play excellent defense. But Robert is a game changer. The team could use a game changer.
You are losing all sense of perspective because you want this to happen so badly. Try to remain in an objective mindset and then you will realize how you’re not currently living in reality.
Call me when the Mariners make an impact trade to help them win now.
They are bound to do something. They have the need, they have the assets, they are tied for first place. It’s all set up nicely for something to happen.
I think the cards have some competition here
I think the Cards have a shot at Fedde, but don’t have the minor league players to swing a deal for Robert or Crochett.
I like Fedde (depending on the price) but I’ve zero interest in Robert. The latter isn’t a Cardinals type of player, and the team has already had plenty of injury issues in the OF.
Good post- I’ve watched every game Robert has played and he’s not a Cardinal. He has great raw talent, but plays like he’s “mildly” interested in what’s going on around him.
Fedde on the other hand has been great. Arguably better than Crochet. He eats up innings and would be a great add to the Cards.
Crochet makes me nervous because it’s his highest workload ever this year. He’s already doubled the most innings he’s ever thrown. Who knows when he might wear out this year?
The Cards will sign a decrepit old injured player for small dollars. If the St Louis team is smart, they will trade all who are at contract ends and get young players. They will not win with this group. They are in a weak division. Amazing these so called SMART FANS think they are World Champions and are going to win the World Series, need to realize they will be out in the first round of playoffs, if they do make it. Cards top brass don’t want to go to World Series. TOO EXPENSIVE
Maybe they will settle for Chris Flexen and let it ride
Most Cardinals fans do not consider this a World Series team and have not felt they were one piece away for several years.
The drop in attendance is the first indication that the fan base is tired of the lack of an investment in the team from ownership who are more concerned with profits over winning.
The poor roster construction by the front office has also caused fans to get frustrated. Reading the boards, the comment that “most Cardinal fans think they are a World Series contender” shows how little you are paying attention to the current mindset of a frustrated fan base.
If Freddie is doing so good with Sox why not extend him a year or two and keep him as a good 3or4 in our rotation.
Because the value he provides in 2024 and 2025 is a lot. And that’s wasted on a White Sox team that isn’t any good. Trade him now then they can sign someone else down the road.
He is already signed thru 24+25, extend him 26+27 when we will be contending.
I don’t think the White Sox are contending in 2026 or even 2027. But even if they are you trade him and use the prospects to help you win then.
They do have the pitching to compete in 2026. But they need get impact bats.
Or trade him for prospects and sign him when he becomes a FA.
I think a deal for Fedde would cost a Hjerpe and Prieto since he has the $7..5M in 2025 .
Probably talking a bit more than that. And Hjerpe is not the guy I think gets dealt because he’s left handed. Graceffo is ready to play right now I think they would like him. Prieto makes sense agree with that. Probably need more than that to get Fedde.
I would hold my ground making Hjerpe part of the deal. I think his floor is a solid LH reliever and ceiling backend starter. He has a Chris Sale delivery with high K to BB ratios.
“Mr. Henry, can you at least let me pursue Fedde? He won’t cost as much as the others.”
Click. Dial tone.
Crochet, Fedde, Thorpe, Schultz, Cannon, Smith etc… would be a 2025 top 10 rotation.
The Sox need to stop selling their top assets.
Fedde has to be traded before the 30th. Schultz and Smith are far away. Crochet is 50/50.
Why does Fedde have to be traded this year? Schultz will be in the starting rotation by the middle of next season and Smith may be called up by September.
The Sox still have several other young pitchers performing well in the minors and they could fill several holes in the bullpen.
Baseball is still about pitching.
Their rotation is #25 in ERA this year. And two of those guys will be gone before the Sox are competitive.
Fedde isn’t the guy. He is at peak form right now when there is nothing on the line. To think he can slot in as a #2 to help in playoffs is extraordinarily wishful thinking. The thing that makes me think it could be real is an additional year of control, which makes sense from an organizational standpoint.
The cardinals will trade for a pitcher from Texas or Tampa bay
The Cardinals don’t need another arm. They need bats. That lineup needs help. The winning side of that bullpen has been nails all year long.
No way the Cardinals trade Walker. Remember he is still really young and skipped AAA altogether when he opened the season with the team last year.
You gotta give the guy time to get where he needs to be. They should have never brought him up to the majors in the first place. Out too much pressure on him to be like the next Pujols, all while trying to learn how to play the outfield, which he had never done before