The Atlanta Braves have strengthened their pitching staff by acquiring veteran right-handed starter Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal that involved cash considerations or a player to be named later. The trade was announced on Sunday, following the Cardinals’ decision earlier in the week to designate Fedde for assignment. This move is part of the Braves’ ongoing effort to address their rotation challenges as the season progresses.
To clear space on their 40-man roster and accommodate Fedde, the Braves placed right-handed pitcher Grant Holmes on the 60-day injured list.
Erick Fedde’s Recent Performance and Career Background
At 32 years old, Erick Fedde has struggled through the 2025 season, posting a 5.22 ERA across 20 starts with the Cardinals, accompanied by a 79 ERA+. Control issues have been a concern, as indicated by his 63 strikeouts compared to 46 unintentional walks in just over 101 innings pitched. Fedde is owed the remainder of his $7.5 million salary this season and will be a free agent after the year ends.
Fedde’s career includes a rocky start as a former first-round draft pick who failed to meet expectations with the Washington Nationals. After spending 2023 pitching in Korea, where he revamped his approach with a refined four-pitch mix and dominated hitters, he returned to Major League Baseball in 2024 signing a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox. Fedde performed well in Chicago, earning a midseason trade to the Cardinals and compiling a 5.9 WAR for 2024, which sparked optimism for continued success. However, his 2025 form has yet to match that promise, though he remains a low-cost option for back-end rotation innings.
Cardinals’ Strategy Focuses on Youth and Future Contenders
The St. Louis Cardinals remain committed to their contention goals but are actively creating opportunities for younger arms by moving veteran players. By designating Fedde for assignment and ultimately trading him, the Cardinals opened a spot in their starting rotation for 25-year-old right-hander Michael McGreevy, signaling a focus on integrating new talent as they build toward the future.
Braves Aim to Stabilize a Struggling Rotation
Currently sitting with a disappointing 44-60 record and entrenched in fourth place in the National League East, the Braves are not making a playoff push with this move. Rather, the Fedde trade represents a pragmatic step to provide more innings and stability to a rotation that has faced significant difficulties this season. While Fedde’s recent inconsistency presents some risk, his experience and contract terms offer the Braves a potentially valuable depth option as they navigate the remainder of the year.