On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals designated Erick Fedde for assignment following a difficult stretch in his performance, signaling a probable release as the team continues to slide in the playoff standings. The decision comes less than a year after Fedde was acquired in a significant trade involving multiple teams, highlighting how quickly circumstances have changed for both the pitcher and the Cardinals’ postseason prospects. The move also reflects the Cardinals’ shifting focus as July’s trade deadline nears, with their playoff chances now dwindling.
Fedde’s Declining Performance Mirrors Cardinals’ Fall in Standings
Erick Fedde had shown promise late in the 2023 season after joining St. Louis, but his 2024 campaign took a sudden downturn. In July alone, the Cardinals have won just five games against twelve losses, seeing their record slip to 52-51. This drop pushed them from three games behind the NL Central leaders to nearly ten games out, while their Wild Card hopes faded from a one-game advantage to 3.5 games back. Teams like the Reds and Giants now stand between the Cardinals and a playoff spot, with St. Louis’s win percentage declining along with their projected playoff odds dropping below 20% for the first time since early May.
Fedde’s Season Statistics Reveal Significant Struggles on the Mound
Fedde’s numbers this year underscore the difficulties he has faced. Over 20 starts and 101.2 innings pitched, he carries a 5.22 ERA and a 5.09 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), with a 14.1% strikeout rate—one of the lowest among starters logging more than 100 innings. The decline from last season’s strikeout rate, dropping by over seven percentage points, is the steepest in such a comparison. His recent starts have been particularly problematic, including a June 24 outing against the Rockies where he allowed six runs in just three innings. Across his last five outings, Fedde struggled to complete five innings only once, yielding 26 runs and eight home runs, causing the Cardinals to lose all five of those starts and 15 of the 20 he began this season.
Fedde’s Return to Major League After Prominence Overseas
This year marks Fedde’s second season back in the majors following a dominant campaign in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). Playing for the NC Dinos in 2023, he secured the pitching Triple Crown by leading in wins (20), strikeouts (209), and earned run average (2.00), earning league MVP honors and the respected Choi Dong-won Award, Korea’s equivalent of the Cy Young. Prior to his overseas success, Fedde spent six seasons in parts with the Washington Nationals, who had originally drafted him 18th overall in 2014 from UNLV. His MLB stint with the Nationals yielded a 5.41 ERA and 5.17 FIP over 454.1 innings.
Adjustments in Pitching Style Highlighted Fedde’s 2024 Revival and Decline
While with the Nationals, Fedde’s outings were inconsistent, but he refined his pitching during his KBO tenure by changing his arm slot, emphasizing a changeup, and redesigning his slider into a sweeping pitch that gained considerable attention. Upon returning to the US, Fedde signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox before joining St. Louis. Combined, his 2024 performance with both teams showed promise, posting a 3.30 ERA and 3.86 FIP across 177.1 innings. However, this year saw technical changes such as a slightly lower arm angle—from 37 to 35 degrees—alter the sinker and cutter’s movement, reducing their deception and effectiveness against hitters, who posted higher averages and slugging percentages against those pitches.
Cut Fastball Issues Have Derailed Fedde’s Recent Effectiveness
A critical factor in Fedde’s recent struggles relates to his cutter, a pitch integral to his 2024 comeback. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
“A significant drag on Fedde’s performance in the past two months has been a misbehaving cut fastball and his commitment to using it. The cutter was a key part of his revival since returning [from the KBO] ahead of the 2024 season. It gives him a fastball to challenge left-handed hitters, and he described Tuesday night how it’s also a pitch he can elevate as a fastball. The cutter is a high-reward pitch that can be high-risk if it’s erratic. A good cutter snaps bats. A bad cutter finds the barrel. The first two extra-base hits off Fedde on Tuesday both came on the cutter.” —Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Statcast data indicates that Fedde’s cutter has been particularly vulnerable, contributing notably to the runs and extra-base hits surrendered during his downturn. The pitch’s unpredictability in the past two months directly correlates with the erosion of his control and run prevention.
Michael McGreevy Set to Replace Fedde in Cardinals’ Rotation
The Cardinals reportedly aimed to open a rotation spot for Michael McGreevy, a promising 25-year-old right-hander recently called up from Triple-A Memphis. McGreevy has posted a solid 3.49 ERA and 3.23 FIP with St. Louis this year, displaying a 15.2% strikeout rate across 28.1 innings. His minor league numbers were also promising, with a 3.72 ERA and stronger strikeout rates at Memphis. Described as a
“six-pitch surgeon who tends to attack east/west with mostly below-average stuff,”
McGreevy’s command stands out as his best attribute, even if his velocity hovers between 90 and 92 mph. His slider receives high marks for quality and is considered his best pitch.
“McGreevy is a six-pitch surgeon who tends to attack east/west with mostly below-average stuff.” —Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan
Instead of returning McGreevy to the minors, the Cardinals will promote him into the rotation, edging out Fedde. He will join right-handers Sonny Gray, Andre Pallante, and Miles Mikolas, along with lefty Matthew Liberatore. As a group, the rotation has struggled in July, posting a 7.43 ERA and a 5.59 FIP across 80 innings. Despite pitching depth, no regular starter holds an ERA under 4.00. Gray and Liberatore have been the most effective, while Mikolas and Pallante have endured difficulties similar to Fedde’s recent woes.
St. Louis Faces Challenges at Trade Deadline and Beyond
The Cardinals’ rotation woes and losing streak have intensified the team’s urgency but also their realism about this season. According to internal sources,
“The Cardinals executives, in a ‘transition’ year, were leaning toward a [sale] months in the making but also open to a signal from the results. They sure got it.” —Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Given Fedde’s declining performance and $2.7 million remaining salary, it is improbable that any team will trade for him. The expectation is that Fedde will clear waivers and be released. Meanwhile, St. Louis is entertaining offers for other pitchers, especially those approaching free agency. Among these are relievers Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton, as well as starter Miles Mikolas.
Potential Trades Center Around Key Relievers and Rotation Players
Closer Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star, remains the most attractive name, though his 2024 season has been inconsistent. Despite a fastball averaging 99.3 mph, his home run rate has spiked, and strikeouts declined compared to previous years. With a $8.2 million salary for this season, Helsley could draw interest from teams seeking a short-term bullpen solution.
Lefty Steven Matz has performed competently in relief with a 3.29 ERA and a strong track record against left-handed batters. However, his $12 million salary and recent injury history mean the Cardinals might have to absorb some of the contract cost to facilitate a trade. Phil Maton, in contrast, presents an affordable and effective setup role option, with a 2.48 ERA and a 30.9% strikeout rate, making him a potential trade candidate for clubs looking to bolster their bullpen on a smaller budget.
Mikolas, with a full no-trade clause and high $16 million salary, has not been a likely trade candidate due to uneven recent seasons and contract considerations. Instead, St. Louis seems focused on sorting through multiple opportunities to balance immediate roster needs against longer-term development goals.
Front Office Remarks Reflect Complexity of Upcoming Decisions
John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, acknowledged the challenging environment as they evaluate the roster moving forward:
“We have a lot of players that teams have interest in, and we have to sort through all of that.” —John Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations
This statement signals ongoing discussions concerning possible trades that may impact not only 2024 but also the Cardinals’ competitive trajectory moving forward.
Questions Surrounding Nolan Arenado’s Future and Team Prospects
One of the most significant uncertainties for the Cardinals is the status of Nolan Arenado, the veteran third baseman with a sizable contract and a full no-trade clause. Arenado’s preferences and previous refusals of trade offers complicate any potential deal, with reported interest from teams including the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Phillies, Mets, and Red Sox tempered by various roster factors and other players occupying similar roles.
Offensively, Arenado has struggled this season, batting only .241 with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) substantially lower than in his prime years and an absence of home runs since June 21. This marks his second straight year slugging below .400, which diminishes his appeal as a middle-order power hitter to many contending teams. However, his defensive skills remain highly respected, with advanced metrics reflecting solid fielding contributions that partially offset his offensive decline.
Interest from teams such as the New York Yankees, who face a needy third base spot, is tempered by concerns over Arenado’s diminished bat. This context adds complexity to the Cardinals’ plans as they juggle rebuilding efforts and trade considerations.
St. Louis Faces a Difficult Summer Balancing Competitiveness and Rebuilding
The Cardinals find themselves in a challenging position common to mid-tier teams lingering around the .500 mark this summer. Pushing hard for a playoff spot risks sacrificing future assets, while embracing a sell-off invites criticism from fans anticipating competitiveness. The decision to designate Erick Fedde for assignment symbolizes a clearer focus on prioritizing the team’s future over an increasingly improbable 2024 postseason run. Whether other moves follow, especially involving players like Arenado and key pitchers, will shape the Cardinals’ outlook for seasons to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How fast does Erick Fedde throw?
A. Fedde begins with four different pitches, with his fastball and slider being his strongest. His fastball usually ranges from low to mid-90s in speed and can reach 97 mph, showing movement towards the batter’s armside. The slider is an average pitch now but could become very good. His changeup is also seen as having average potential.