Is Erick Fedde the Missing Piece for the Braves' Rotation? 

The Atlanta Braves are at a crossroads with their starting rotation, and the name Erick Fedde has emerged as a potential solution. After a tumultuous career that saw him bounce from the Nationals to Korea and then to the White Sox, Fedde has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly when he embraced his changeup. However, his recent stint with the Cardinals has raised questions about his effectiveness and the decisions made by the organization.

Could the Braves be the team to unlock Fedde's potential once again? With a manageable contract and a need for a reliable starter, it seems like a match made in baseball heaven. But here's where it gets interesting: if the Braves do acquire Fedde, what adjustments should they make to his pitch mix? Should they prioritize the changeup that worked wonders for him in Korea, or is there a different approach that could yield even better results?

Let's dive deeper into this discussion. What are your thoughts on Fedde's career trajectory? Do you believe he can reclaim his success in Atlanta, or is he destined to be a cautionary tale of what could have been? Additionally, how do you feel about the Braves' overall strategy in building their rotation? Are they taking the right risks, or should they be looking for more established talent?

Share your insights, bold predictions, and personal experiences with players who have had similar career arcs. Let's get the conversation rolling!

Man, Erick Fedde is such an interesting case. You look at his journey—from struggling in D.C., to reinventing himself in Korea, then getting another MLB shot—it’s wild. Honestly, I kinda love the idea of the Braves taking a flyer on him. He’s got that “nothing to lose” edge, and Atlanta’s pitching coaches have a pretty solid track record of helping guys find their groove.

If they do bring him in, I think the key is leaning into what actually worked for him overseas—that changeup. In Korea, he ditched trying to overpower hitters and instead focused on deception and location, and it worked. I’d love to see the Braves help him refine that even more, maybe pair it with a sharper slider and mix in the fastball strategically, instead of trying to make it the centerpiece. No need to reinvent the wheel when the guy already showed what makes him successful.

As for his trajectory—I don’t think he’s a lost cause at all. I mean, baseball’s full of late bloomers, and maybe Fedde just needed the right situation and coaching. Atlanta could definitely be that place. Plus, with a manageable contract, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. If it doesn’t pan out, no big deal. But if it does? That could be a sneaky playoff weapon.

About the Braves’ strategy overall—I kinda respect the mix of trusting their internal talent while taking chances on guys like Fedde. Sure, bringing in more proven arms is the “safe” route, but sometimes it’s the unexpected moves that pay off big. Look at what they did with Charlie Morton or how they’ve developed guys like Spencer Strider.

Bold prediction? If Fedde ends up in Atlanta, I think he posts a sub-4.00 ERA and becomes a solid #4 starter by midseason. Not an ace, but a dependable guy you can roll out every fifth day and trust to keep you in the game.

What do you think—worth the gamble or better to hold out for a bigger name?