Inside The Cardinals

Yankees Would Be Foolish To Overlook Cardinals Trade Option Amid Gerrit Cole Injury

St. Louis might have what New York could soon need
Nate Hagerty|
Feb 16, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) talks with media during a press conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Feb 16, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) talks with media during a press conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsNew York Yankees

The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees could soon become trade partners depending on right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole's injury timeline.

The Yankees ace is suffering from right elbow pain for a second consecutive year at spring training. After avoiding Tommy John surgery last season, Cole might not be so fortunate this time around.

If Cole is out for an extended period of time, the Yankees should quickly get on the phone with the Cardinals' front office to take advantage of a golden opportunity to keep their rotation intact.

"A somewhat more modest target might be Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde," CBS Sports' Dayn Perry wrote Sunday night. "Fedde, who turns 32 on Tuesday, rebuilt his career during a 2023 stint in Korea. He returned stateside to the (Chicago) 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. 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." 

Considering that the Yankees aren't looking to add much to the payroll before Opening Day, Fedde's economical $7.5 million price tag wouldn't be an issue for the Bronx Bombers if they traded for him.

With the Cardinals looking to rebuild and restock their farm system, trading Fedde to the Yankees could hopefully provide St. Louis with a solid top-prospect haul in return.

Fedde's contract expires after this season, so it's likely that the Cardinals will look to move him at this summer's trade deadline. With how eager the Yankees could soon be to fill Cole's absence in the rotation, they shouldn't hesitate to contact St. Louis for the 32-year-old hurler.

More MLB: Beloved Ex-Cardinals All-Stars Being Targeted By NL Central-Foe Cubs, Per Sources

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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