The Atlanta Braves are in urgent need of a starting pitcher. Surprisingly, Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves’ front office have been relatively quiet so far this offseason, which is unusual for them.
Last season, Atlanta relied on four strong starters: Chris Sale, Max Fried, Reynaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton. Prospect Spencer Schwellenbach emerged as a key contributor, while other young pitchers struggled. However, the team has already lost Fried and is likely to lose Morton to free agency this winter.
This situation sets the stage for a potential blockbuster trade, and the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be an ideal trade partner.
This Braves-Cardinals trade sends Erick Fedde to be Atlanta’s fifth starter
The Cardinals acquired starting pitcher Erick Fedde from the White Sox at last season’s trade deadline, but he wasn’t enough to push the team into the playoffs. Now, St. Louis appears to be shifting toward a rebuild, aiming to get younger and sell off veteran assets. Fedde, who becomes a free agent after the 2025 season, is unlikely to remain with the team throughout the year. Trading him this offseason—possibly to Atlanta—could maximize his value.
Proposed Trade
- Atlanta Braves Receive: RHP Erick Fedde
- St. Louis Cardinals Receive: RHP Bryce Elder, RHP Drue Hackenberg
The Braves would take on Fedde’s $7.5 million contract for 2025, with no cash exchanged in the deal. In return, St. Louis would gain two young pitching prospects.
Bryce Elder, 25, has shown All-Star potential, as evidenced during his rookie season, but his inconsistency remains a concern. After posting a 6.52 ERA in 2024, he showed little improvement, making him a potential reclamation project for the Cardinals.
Drue Hackenberg, 22, has impressed in his professional career, holding a 2.99 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and .206 opponent batting average across 135.1 innings. However, control issues and walks have occasionally hindered his performance.
For Atlanta, Fedde would provide much-needed depth as a reliable fifth starter behind their top four pitchers. Depth proved to be a challenge for the Braves last season, and they’ve made few moves to address it. While Fedde might serve as a temporary solution until prospects like AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep are ready, he could still be an effective addition to their rotation early in the season.
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