With the 2025 MLB season on the horizon, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees find themselves potentially linked in the ever-buzzing trade market. Having missed out on any major trades this offseason, the Cardinals might soon engage in serious discussions with the Yankees, whose rotation is looking rather thin due to some untimely injuries.

Let’s set the stage: the Yankees, coming off a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s World Series, face a pitching crisis. Right-hander Luis Gil is out for at least three months, and ace Gerrit Cole is sidelined for the entire season after Tommy John surgery.

This leaves the Yankees in need of reinforcements if they hope to make it back to the big dance this season. Could St.

Louis veteran Erick Fedde be their answer?

According to insights from Jon Heyman at the New York Post, Erick Fedde might just be the shot in the arm the Yankees’ rotation needs. Though he was initially thought to be staying put, the mounting desperation among teams might entice the Cardinals into considering a trade for Fedde, who was highlighted as the Yankees’ third-best option to bolster their staff.

Despite not having a bustling trade market at the deadline, Fedde’s recent performance demands attention. Last season, he secured a 2-5 record with a 3.72 ERA, striking out 46 while walking 18 across 55 2/3 innings for St.

Louis. These numbers came after he reclaimed his prowess in the Korean Baseball Organization, a journey that revitalized his pitching career.

Fedde signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Chicago White Sox before joining the Cardinals, putting his current value at a reasonable $7.5 million. For a Yankees team hesitant to escalate their payroll, Fedde presents an affordable option. While he won’t replace the impact of Cole or Gil, he could certainly bring stability to a beleaguered pitching roster.

The catch, as always, lies in the cost. The Cardinals, recognizing the growing desperation across the league, might demand a substantial haul in top prospects in exchange for Fedde.

Despite the hefty ask, investing in Fedde could prove savvy for the Yankees, potentially turning a mid-rotation addition into a catalyst for another deep postseason run. For New York, the calculus is clear: navigating through a tough injury landscape could become a lot smoother with a veteran like Fedde, who knows a thing or two about turning challenges into opportunities.