Bernie Show: Trade Erick Fedde!

The Bernie Miklasz Show

The St. Louis Cardinals still have a chance, an excellent chance, to "win" the Tommy Edman trade. As you know, at the 2024 trade deadline, the Cardinals were part of a three-team trade with the Dodgers and White Sox. The only aspect of this that still matters is that utility dude Tommy Edman went from the Cardinals to the Dodgers, and the White Sox sent starting pitcher Erick Fedde to St. Louis. The Cardinals were willing to part with Edman because (1) he missed the first four months of the season to complete his rehab from wrist surgery, and (2) the Cardinals had no plans to sign Edman to a long-term contract extension before he was eligible to enter free agency after the 2025 campaign.

The trade worked out beautifully for the Dodgers, who went on to win the World Series with significant assistance from Edman. Los Angeles recently rewarded Edman with a five-year, $74.5 million deal.

The Cardinals were still in the wild-card race when they acquired Fedde but couldn't overcome a terrible offense and fell out of contention. Fedde has a year left on his contract and will make an economical $7.5 million salary in 2025. And then he can become a free agent.

Fedde had a much better 2024 season than people realize -- I give you the stats on this in the video -- and at a time when so many MLB teams are desperate for starting pitching, Fedde would have significant trade value. The Cardinals aren't going to sign Fedde to a long-term deal, and the 2025 season has been set aside to give young players/pitchers a full opportunity. By traded Fedde, the Cardinals could secure a package of young talent, and they would also open up a rotation spot for one of their own young pitchers.

Trading Fedde is an obvious thing to do, and his trade value is at peak level right now. Trading him at the 2025 deadline is a risk; suppose Fedde got hurt between spring training and late July? If that happens, the Cardinals receive NOTHING. Thanks for watching.