Phillies are considering trade for pitcher Erick Fedde

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to strengthen their starting rotation as the season begins. Ranger Suarez will start the season on the injured list due to back soreness. This creates a need for another pitcher. Currently, Taijuan Walker is expected to fill the last spot in the rotation. However, many believe he is not the right choice for this position. The Phillies are considering a trade for Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals as a solution. Fedde is an affordable option. He is in the final year of his contract and will earn $7.5 million this season. Last year, he had a 3.30 ERA while pitching for the Chicago White Sox and the Cardinals. Adding him would not significantly strain the Phillies' finances. The Phillies also have a promising pitching prospect, Andrew Painter, who is nearing his major league debut. Acquiring Fedde would allow the team to avoid rushing Painter into the rotation too soon. If the team decides to keep Painter for 2026, they could easily let Fedde go when he becomes a free agent after this season. The Cardinals have been looking to reduce their payroll and might be eager to trade Fedde. He would provide the consistent performance the Phillies need, especially in their starting lineup.