Early 2026 MLB trade candidate: Erick Fedde forcing rebuilding White Sox’s brass to make decision originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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If not already, the Chicago White Sox‘s AL Central pennant aspirations are disappearing after nearly one month.
At 8-14, the White Sox enter Tuesday’s series-opening matchup against the host Arizona Diamondbacks in fourth place, four games behind the front-running Cleveland Indians (13-11).
Few MLB insiders anticipate the White Sox, who have not finished over .500 since 2021, to mount a serious postseason run. Over the past two seasons, the South Siders dropped a combined 223 games.
The White Sox already called up their top pitching prospect, Noah Schultz, and could continue raiding Triple-A Charlotte’s pitching staff. If the White Sox decide to give starters such as Tanner McDougal, it could indicate that veterans like Erick Fedde could be considered a top trade candidate, according to ESPN.
Rebuilding White Sox could be busy at deadline
Fedde (0-3) should be getting accustomed to switching teams before the MLB trade deadline. Last July, the Braves, with five starting pitchers on injured reserve, acquired Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The White Sox’s brass need Fedde to audition better the other 29 general managers. He lasted just 4.2 innings during a 7-6, 11-inning defeat last Saturday. He surrendered two hits, three earned runs and four bases on balls. In four starts, Fedde posted a 3.92 earned-run average.
Fedde, who compiled a 34-58 career record, is scheduled to pitch next against the visiting Washington Nationals at Rate Field.
How many more starts will Fedde make before the prospects take center stage?
If McDougal ends up getting the call from the White Sox, it would complete a unique journey. Two seasons ago, the 2021 fifth-round draft choice went 0-11 during two Single-A stops.