According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, rival teams believe the Cardinals might be open to trade discussions involving right-hander Erick Fedde.
However, it’s uncertain whether these talks would occur later in the spring or during the season. While the Cardinals have emphasized the importance of maintaining pitching depth, they are reportedly “open” to a move that could reduce payroll and create space in the rotation for young right-hander Michael McGreevy.
The possibility of Fedde being on the trade market isn’t entirely surprising. The Cardinals actively explored trading veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado this offseason, and although a deal remains unlikely, their willingness to move key players—including allowing Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Kittredge to leave in free agency—suggests a shift toward future planning.
This strategy would typically make a short-term asset like Fedde an obvious trade candidate. However, the team has hesitated to fully commit to 2025 as a rebuilding year.
St. Louis has been cautious about making long-term financial commitments this offseason, even avoiding extension talks with closer Ryan Helsley, despite multiple teams expressing interest. The same approach has applied to Fedde and left-hander Steven Matz, both of whom attracted trade inquiries as early as December, though the Cardinals never seemed eager to move them.
Given the team’s overall offseason strategy, trading Fedde before Opening Day would be somewhat unexpected. However, there are clear reasons why the Cardinals might consider it. As Goold notes, part of the motivation for exploring an Arenado trade was to reduce payroll and reinvest in player development.
While Fedde’s $7.5 million salary is relatively modest and only for one year, reallocating those funds could align with the team’s plans to be more competitive in 2026.
Beyond financial considerations, trading Fedde could also provide an opportunity for a younger pitcher to step into the rotation. McGreevy showed promise in a brief MLB stint last year, posting a 1.96 ERA over 23 innings.
With an aging rotation, the Cardinals may want to prioritize developing young, controllable arms like McGreevy and Andre Pallante. This thinking aligns with the results of a recent MLB Trade Rumors poll, where 60% of readers supported the idea of trading a starter given Arenado’s expected return to St. Louis for the 2025 season.
Ultimately, the Cardinals’ decision on Fedde will likely depend on the trade return. They acquired him from the White Sox in a deal involving utility man Tommy Edman, and after a strong 2023 campaign with a 3.30 ERA over 177 1/3 innings, they will want meaningful long-term value in any trade.
With other key players like Arenado, Helsley, and Sonny Gray still on the roster, trading a solid mid-rotation arm like Fedde without a compelling return wouldn’t make sense. This may explain the team’s reluctance to move him during the winter, as quality starting pitching is always in demand at the trade deadline.
If maximizing Fedde’s trade value is the priority, listening to offers this spring is a logical move. Goold points out that injuries to pitchers are inevitable, and as teams lose arms in the coming weeks, the market for rotation help will grow.
The Mets have already lost Frankie Montas for six to eight weeks due to a lat strain, and while they don’t currently plan to add a starter, similar injuries elsewhere could increase demand for Fedde. If no suitable offers emerge, the Cardinals can reassess at the trade deadline, deciding whether to trade Fedde in the summer or hold onto him with the possibility of extending a Qualifying Offer after the season.
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