With one deadline move, St. Louis reminded everyone in the National League what it was like in the days before the Royals and Cubs won titles. Rewind to a decade or so ago and Cardinal Devil Magic was a very real thing – just ask any team that traded with the Birds on the Bat.
Those days have sadly been few and far between lately which made today’s deal all the more exciting. The talk leading up to tomorrow’s trade deadline was all about finding the right partner and as it happened, the deal took a pair of clubs going in completely different directions to make it work.
No one would mistake the Dodgers for the White Sox especially this season but in this very crazy campaign, Los Angeles and Chicago formed the ideal matches based on need. Well, and money, but let’s not get caught up in that just yet. Tommy Edman hasn’t played for St. Louis this year and now finds himself on the way to the West Coast. He was a valuable piece for various reasons the last couple seasons but recovery from surgery and the play of others made Edman an attractive target.
After the New York Yankees showed interest, the Cardinals were in an enviable position with a number of different ways to go. It was no surprise that a pitcher would be the main interest but how could St. Louis make all the pieces work? Enter the Dodgers who wanted Edman and the White Sox who have half a roster available. In addition to getting another established starter, the most glaring weakness has been right-handed damage which wouldn’t you know it, Chicago just happens to be flush with options.
Tommy Pham was drafted and started his MLB career with the Cards and still absolutely crushes lefties which makes his addition to the deal even sweeter. But the real theft in all of this was adding right-hander Erick Fedde to the top half of the rotation. That name may not ring a bell especially after he needed the detour overseas but is exactly what the staff needed.
Fedde reinvented himself in Korea and has continued the upward trend thru his first 120 innings on the Southside. The former first round pick has always had the talent and now gets to be an important part of the playoff push. He also gives St. Louis another starter signed thru 2025 but more importantly, the front office did the heavy lifting without sacrificing any prospects or outfielders.
Given Pham will most likely take the spot of Dylan Carlson on the active roster, he is expected to be moved before the deadline passes. The Cardinals biggest need is a reliever from both sides, something that should be available and not nearly as expensive. Tonight the roster has been improved but work still needs to be done for St. Louis to do damage in October.
The clock is ticking and no reason to stop now so say a prayer to Jobu or whatever you prefer that helps bring more good news under the Arch.
