The New York Yankees recently lost Luis Gil to a strained lat, which will keep him out for at least a month. Now, with Gerrit Cole undergoing further tests on a sore elbow, early reports suggest a troubling situation for the Yankees.
If Cole is sidelined for an extended period, the team may need to make a major trade to fill his spot in the rotation. Dayn Perry of CBS Sports has connected the Yankees to a potential deal with the St. Louis Cardinals for right-hander Erick Fedde.
“A somewhat more modest target might be Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde,” Perry wrote. “Fedde, who turns 32 on Tuesday, rebuilt his career during a 2023 stint in Korea. He returned stateside to the White Sox last season, and before and after his deadline trade to St. Louis, worked 177 ⅓ combined innings with a 126 ERA+, a 3.86 FIP, and a WAR of 5.6.”
Perry also noted that Fedde’s contract could appeal to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. “Also appealing is the fact that Fedde is owed just $7.5 million for the upcoming season in advance of his return to free agency. That price tag would probably be appealing to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who remains unwilling to use the full power of his club’s vast resources.”
With the Yankees likely in search of a starter, Fedde could be a logical choice. Acquiring him wouldn’t commit the team to a long-term deal and would serve as a short-term fix until Cole or Gil returns. Additionally, trading for Fedde would be a more affordable move compared to targeting higher-profile pitchers like Luis Castillo or Dylan Cease, whose acquisition costs might be too high for New York.
