Giants Reportedly Interested In White Sox Pitcher

We are only in mid-April, yet the trade rumors surrounding White Sox players have already begun. That usually ends up being the case when a team starts the season 3-15. In a recent report, several teams have already expressed interest in trading for White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, with the San Francisco Giants leading the charge.

Fedde's Resume

Fedde signed a two-year/$15 million contract with the White Sox this past offseason after a fantastic 2023 season in Korea. The early return on the White Sox investment has been promising, as Fedde has pitched to a 3.10 ERA in four starts while striking out 19 hitters in 20.1 innings. He has already given up five home runs, but has fared well otherwise. 

Giants Rotation Situation

San Francisco's interest in Fedde is surprising on the surface. After all, they have star pitcher Logan Webb headlining their rotation. The Giants also brought in two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell and talented pitcher Jordan Hicks on significant free-agent contracts this offseason. In addition, they have gifted young pitchers Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn currently in their rotation. The Giants' rotation seems pretty good, yet their record is just 9-11. They also play in a highly competitive division and will need as much pitching as possible to counter the dynamic offenses of the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Padres.

The adage that a team can never have enough pitching will always stand true. San Francisco's interest in Fedde confirms that. It is also worth noting that Fedde is making just $7.5 million this season and another $7.5 million in 2025. His contract is very team-friendly for a productive pitcher. Oracle Park, the home of the Giants, is also notoriously pitcher-friendly, so Fedde could improve even more pitching in an environment that would limit his tendency of giving up home runs.

Logical Move For White Sox

From the White Sox perspective, trading Fedde at some point makes sense. The team is not winning anything this year, and Fedde is only under contract for this season and next. He is also 31 and unlikely to be on the next good White Sox team. The rapid progress of pitching prospects like Nick Nastrini, Jonathan Cannon, and Drew Thorpe are also factors in the equation, as they will likely all occupy long-term rotation spots. Fedde is more of a bandaid than anything else for the White Sox, so cashing in and dealing him for prospects sooner rather than later for the right offer is a logical route. 

Final Word

The Giants linked to Fedde is just the beginning of many trade rumors surrounding the White Sox over the next few months. The team will likely trade several other players, including Steven Wilson, Michael Kopech, and John Brebbia. Perhaps even Yoán Moncada and Eloy Jiménez will be on the move if they can get back on track. Virtually any veteran with any semblance of trade value not named Luis Robert Jr. will be traded at this deadline. It will be interesting to see where all these players ultimately end up.