Breaking MLB Trade: Braves & Cardinals Swing Deal for Starting Pitcher

In one sense, it’s a surprise move, as the Atlanta Braves, considered sellers, not buyers, at this trade deadline, have gone out and acquired a starting pitcher, swinging a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals for recently DFA'd Erick Fedde.

The Braves acquire Erick Fedde after he was DFA'd a few days ago pic.twitter.com/MV47bcSbel
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 27, 2025

The 32-year-old Fedde returned from Korea last year and put up a tremendous season with the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals, with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and a 154:52 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

But he turned back into a pumpkin this year, with a 5.22 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP with the Cards, bad enough that they designated him for assignment this past week.

The Braves, however, in dire need of healthy starting pitchers, are willing to give Fedde another shot at it, sending the old 'future considerations' to St. Louis in return.

Fedde struggled mightily in the majors before he left for Korea in 2023, posting a 5.41 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in six seasons as a starter with the Washington Nationals.

He turned his fortunes (and confidence level) around in '23 in the KBO, going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA, while striking out 209 against just 35 walks with the NC Dinos.

The White Sox gave him a shot in his return to North America in '24, and he rewarded them, becoming a great trade chip at last year's deadline with a 3.11 ERA.

But his numbers returned to his pre-KBO days, and the Braves will give him one more shot at reclaiming a major league role.