The New York Mets took a gamble with their starting rotation this offseason. Instead of leveraging owner Steve Cohen’s financial resources to pursue a proven ace like Corbin Burnes, they opted to re-sign Sean Manaea and bring in free agents Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas. However, before the season even began, both Montas and Manaea suffered injuries, turning an already uncertain rotation into a significant concern.
To address this issue, the Mets may explore trade options as early as this month. One potential target is St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Erick Fedde. The 32-year-old spent 2023 playing in Korea before returning to the MLB in 2024 with the Chicago White Sox, eventually landing with the Cardinals at the trade deadline. Last season, Fedde impressed with a 3.30 ERA over 31 starts, logging nearly 200 innings with a 1.16 WHIP and a 3.86 FIP. Given his performance, St. Louis may consider moving him before the deadline.
For the Mets, Fedde could provide a dependable option at a lower trade cost than pitchers like Dylan Cease or Sandy Alcántara. With the prospect depth to facilitate a deal, New York could find an ideal match with the Cardinals, who might be looking to bolster their farm system.