Eric Fedde returns to the Chicago White Sox after two years, securing a one-year free-agent contract. The move positions the 33-year-old right-hander to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training.
Impressive 2024 Campaign
Fedde solidified his role as a dependable starter in 2024. After a late-July trade from the White Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals, he delivered in 31 outings, primarily starts, across 177 1/3 innings. His stat line featured a 9-9 record, 3.30 ERA, 154 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP, and a .233 opponents’ batting average.
2025 Struggles and Late Rebound
The following season tested Fedde’s resilience. An early slump with the Cardinals produced a 5.22 ERA over 20 games, prompting a designation for assignment and a trade to the Atlanta Braves. Performance dipped further there, with an 8.10 ERA in five games leading to demotion.
He regained form with the Milwaukee Brewers, earning starter duties in seven appearances for 16 innings, a 3.38 ERA, .186 opponents’ average, and 1.13 WHIP.
Season totals reflected turbulence: 32 games (24 starts), 4-13 record, 141 innings, 5.49 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .269 opponents’ average, and bWAR plummeting from 5.6 to -0.6. A 13.3% strikeout rate ranked near the bottom, despite sinker velocity rising to 93.2 mph and cutter to 90.3 mph. Opponents exploited command issues, hitting .304 and .315 respectively.
Intense Battle for Fifth Starter
Fedde enters a competitive mix. Sean Burke, Davis Martin, Sean Smith, Ansley Kay, and others anchor early spots. Sean Newcomb bolsters the group after a 2.73 ERA across 48 games (five starts) split between the Athletics and Red Sox.
Analysis suggests swingman duties loom for top righty prospects like Fedde and potential Yankees targets, given the White Sox’s rebuild focus.
Historic Context for White Sox Reunion
The White Sox endured 324 losses over three years: 101 in 2023, 121 in 2024, and 102 last season—the first team since 1900 to feature a pitcher in over 100 games consecutively across such a span.
This pact follows Fedde’s 2023 KBO MVP honors and major-league re-entry via a prior two-year, $15 million White Sox deal, offering a platform for career revival.
