New York Yankees lead the race for potential trade for Cardinals’ arm

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The New York Yankees confront the reality of an injury-depleted starting rotation heading into the 2025 campaign and need reinforcements. Industry insiders now connect them to St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde, who profiles as one of the more cost-effective and productive rental starters likely available before the summer trade deadline.

In his recent analysis of potential deadline movers, CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa highlighted Fedde as a particularly compelling trade asset, with the Yankees and Braves identified as frontrunners in the eventual sweepstakes.

“(Erick) Fedde could be the best non-(Sandy) Alcantara starter traded this summer,” he wrote. “He’s a very affordable rental ($7.5 million salary) who showed last year that his success in Korea was no fluke. Early possible landing spots: (Atlanta) Braves and (New York) Yankees for Fedde.”

Rotation concerns fuel Yankees trade speculation

The Yankees’ rotation deficiencies are well-documented. Ace Gerrit Cole, fresh off his AL Cy Young victory, underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entirety of the 2025 season. Promising young arm Luis Gil continues to recover from a lat strain with a projected midseason return at the earliest. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt’s gradual build-up following spring shoulder fatigue has further complicated the team’s pitching plans.

With the club poised to begin the season relying on Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, and prospect Will Warren, their pitching depth remains precariously thin. The organization simply cannot withstand another significant injury without external reinforcement.

This vulnerability makes Fedde an appealing mid-season acquisition candidate—one who could solidify the rotation without imposing a substantial financial burden or disrupting long-term salary structures.

Fedde’s career renaissance creates market value

Once regarded as a journeyman starter with modest expectations, Fedde dramatically transformed his career trajectory through an exceptional stint in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). The 32-year-old returned to Major League Baseball in 2024 armed with a revamped pitch repertoire and enhanced command that translated into meaningful big-league success.

Throughout 31 starts split between Chicago and St. Louis in 2024, Fedde compiled a 9-9 record alongside a 3.30 ERA, 154 strikeouts, and a 1.16 WHIP across 177.1 innings. Opposing hitters managed just a .233 average against him.

With the Cardinals embarking on what team president John Mozeliak has characterized as a “reset” phase, the organization appears positioned as likely sellers unless they mount an unexpected challenge in the National League Central race. Fedde—completing the final year of his two-year, $15 million contract—represents exactly the type of affordable asset that could yield valuable prospect capital.

According to Axisa’s assessment, the Cardinals find themselves in an organizational limbo, having neither committed to selling off assets during the offseason nor making significant roster improvements. He considers this middle ground “the worst place to be” for a franchise trying to establish clear direction.

Strategic alignment with New York’s needs

From a budgetary perspective, Fedde’s $7.5 million salary fits comfortably within the Yankees‘ financial framework, even as they navigate the upper reaches of luxury tax thresholds. His pending free agency status presents minimal long-term risk with considerable short-term upside.

Fedde’s demonstrated ability to consume innings, generate swings and misses, and limit baserunners makes him particularly well-suited for Yankee Stadium’s challenges. These attributes become especially valuable for a club attempting to remain competitive in an AL East arms race against Baltimore and Toronto.

The Yankees’ interest could intensify should their current rotation exhibit early-season vulnerabilities. While Fried provides legitimate ace credentials, extended reliance on aging or unproven arms like Carrasco and Warren may prove unsustainable over a full campaign.

Fedde would offer the Yankees a stabilizing middle-rotation presence and valuable insurance against potential complications in Schmidt or Gil’s recovery timelines.

Cardinals’ direction for trade acceptance

For St. Louis, Fedde represents a valuable chess piece in their strategic realignment. With Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas already anchoring the rotation, the Cardinals possess adequate starting depth but lack defined future planning. Converting Fedde into high-ceiling minor-league talent could infuse youth into a farm system requiring replenishment.

Should the team’s competitive position deteriorate by July, industry expectations suggest Mozeliak will market Fedde alongside other veterans as part of a broader retooling effort targeting 2026 and beyond.

What happens next?

The Yankees’ rotation circumstances position them as an early and logical destination for a midseason acquisition. If Fedde maintains his effectiveness through the season’s first half, general manager Brian Cashman will almost certainly explore the possibility, particularly if internal options falter.

Atlanta also presents a strong potential landing spot, especially after recent pitching departures. However, New York’s pressing need for stability could provide decisive leverage in any developing bidding competition.

Though the 2025 trade deadline remains distant, the foundation for a potential Fedde-to-Yankees transaction appears increasingly solid with each passing day.

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