The Cardinals, a franchise known for avoiding full-scale rebuilds, are keeping an eye on the future. This offseason, they allowed future Hall of Famer Paul Goldschmidt to leave on a relatively modest free-agent deal. Meanwhile, trade speculation has surrounded All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado for months. Talks with potential suitors remain ongoing, but his no-trade clause continues to be a key factor—particularly in discussions with the Astros. It remains uncertain if or when Arenado will be moved.
Another potential trade chip for St. Louis is right-hander Erick Fedde. After returning from Korea last offseason, Fedde impressed with the struggling White Sox before being dealt to the Cardinals just before the July trade deadline. He posted a solid 3.72 ERA in 10 starts with St. Louis and finished the season with a 3.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 154 strikeouts over 177.1 innings.
Now entering his age-32 season with one year and $7.5 million left on his contract, Fedde presents a low-risk, high-upside option for contenders in need of rotation depth. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently weighed in on his potential trade value.
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As Spring Training progresses toward Opening Day, interest in Erick Fedde is expected to rise. As teams evaluate their rotations, they will have a clearer picture of any gaps that need to be addressed. The Cardinals will need to determine the optimal time to trade Fedde, but they should be in a strong position to secure a solid return regardless.
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