In a move that came together quickly, the St. Louis Cardinals officially announced the sudden departure of veteran right-hander Erick Fedde, who has been traded to the Atlanta Braves. The Braves, desperate for pitching help after losing Spencer Strider to a hamstring injury, acted swiftly to acquire Fedde in hopes of stabilizing their rotation.
Fedde, who has been one of the Cardinals’ most reliable arms this season with a 3.33 ERA over 27 innings, now heads to Atlanta as a key piece for their postseason push. His experience and consistency made him an attractive target, especially for a Braves team looking to stay competitive in a crowded National League race.
“While it’s tough to see Erick leave, we understand the opportunity for him and the need Atlanta had,” Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said in a statement. “We thank him for his contributions to our team and wish him all the best moving forward.”
For the Cardinals, the decision was also influenced by Fedde’s contract status, as he was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, St. Louis decided to act now and secured two of Atlanta’s top-15 prospects in return, helping to bolster their farm system for the future.
Meanwhile, the Braves expressed excitement about their newest addition. “Erick brings veteran presence and dependability to our staff at a critical time,” Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We believe he’ll be an important part of what we’re building toward October.”
Fedde is expected to join the Braves immediately and could make his debut as early as next week. His arrival gives Atlanta a much-needed boost as they try to weather the storm without their ace, Spencer Strider.
The Braves hope that Fedde can replicate his recent success and help fill the massive void left by Strider’s injury. For St. Louis, it marks the beginning of what could be a busy stretch leading up to the trade deadline.
