JUST IN: Tigers on a verge to land another twirler flamethrower

The St. Louis Cardinals have emphasized their intention to rejuvenate their roster heading into the 2025 season, believing their veteran core has hit its ceiling. To facilitate this “soft reset,” the team has placed several veteran players, including starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz, on the trade market.

While neither Fedde nor Matz are marquee names, they offer value as cost-effective veteran arms who won’t demand significant salary or prospect capital. According to MLB.com, the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, both 2024 playoff teams, have expressed interest in acquiring the Cardinals’ starters.

Despite operating with relatively low payrolls—ranking 23rd and 26th in MLB, respectively—the Guardians and Tigers combined for 178 wins last season, making their pursuit of affordable pitching options like Fedde and Matz logical.

• Erick Fedde, who successfully revived his MLB career in 2024, was acquired by the Cardinals midseason in their push for the playoffs. He’s set to earn $7.5 million in 2025, offering a solid return on investment for budget-conscious teams.
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• Erick Fedde
• Steven Matz, on the other hand, is a more uncertain option. Limited to just 44.1 innings in 2024 with a 5.08 ERA, he is slated to earn $12.5 million in 2025. While his higher salary may deter some teams, the fact that it’s the final year of his contract could still make him a viable short-term acquisition.
• The Cardinals are also reportedly open to trading other veterans, including third baseman Nolan Arenado, as part of their reset. The team aims to clear Arenado’s substantial salary and create opportunities for younger players. However, they appear unwilling to absorb additional payroll in any deal, recently rejecting an offer from the New York Yankees that would have sent Marcus Stroman, who has two years remaining on his contract, to St. Louis in exchange for Arenado.

With the Cardinals expected to be active sellers this offseason, Fedde and Matz could be among the first pieces to move as they reshape their roster.