Erick Fedde’s future with the Chicago White Sox is back in the spotlight. The club is moving toward a one-year deal, pending a physical, to bring the former first-round pick back to a team he helped revive in 2024.
The Boras Corporation client staged a remarkable MLB comeback after rebuilding his game in the KBO with the NC Dinos. He then parlayed that momentum into a two-year, $15 million contract with Chicago.
This re-signing keeps Fedde in the mix for a rotation that’s looking for depth and proven performance. The White Sox are trying to chart their course for next season, and Fedde could play a big part in that.
Fedde’s Unconventional Path Back to the White Sox
Under the radar, Fedde turned a stalled MLB arc into a springboard for renewed relevance on the mound. His rebound in Asia set the stage for a meaningful return to Chicago.
He initially found traction in 2024 before a late-season three-team deal changed his path. The one-year agreement feels like a cautious, cost-controlled bet by the Sox on a pitcher whose ceiling looks different from most of his peers.
Chicago’s execs saw a pitcher who could soak up innings and execute a plan against lineups that might underestimate him. Fedde’s value isn’t just in the numbers; it’s in the flexibility he gives a rotation that needs a steady, dependable option.
He can be a traditional starter, or slide into a swingman role if the roster needs it. That kind of versatility doesn’t come around every day.
From the KBO to MLB: The Comeback That Reopened the Door
Choi Dong-won Award laureate and Cy Young-equivalent honors in the KBO highlighted Fedde’s breakout season overseas. That trophy run earned him a second look from MLB teams and, ultimately, the White Sox.
His success in 2023 with the NC Dinos helped him secure a significant return to the majors. The contract reflected both his age and his upside.
This isn’t just about a pitcher who found a mound abroad. It’s about a player who figured out a formula that could actually work in the American game with Chicago.
That leap back to the majors paid off for a stretch in 2024, when Fedde emerged as Chicago’s best starter early in the year. Across 121 2/3 innings for the White Sox, he logged a 3.11 ERA and struck out more than one in five batters (21.5%).
He walked just 6.8% and induced grounders at a career-high 44.7%. It was a performance that made you think there was still high-end ability under the surface—enough to justify the league’s interest and the Sox’s commitment to keeping him around.
2024 Season Highlights and the Trade That Shaped His Course
Fedde’s breakout in Chicago got abruptly framed by a deadline deal that sent him to St. Louis in a three-team arrangement. That deal also brought Miguel Vargas and various prospects to the White Sox.
In St. Louis, he pitched respectably down the stretch, posting a 3.72 ERA over 55 2/3 innings. His late-season form didn’t just disappear overnight.
The next season, though, proved tougher. His 2025 campaign devolved into inconsistency.
Across 141 innings, his ERA climbed to 5.49. The drop in strikeout rate to the mid-teens (about 14%) and a climb in walks (above 10%) didn’t help.
He also spent time with the Braves and Brewers in a stuttering tour that really underscored how volatile mid-rotation arms can be these days. It’s a tough gig, honestly.
- 2024 White Sox role: Early-season standout in the rotation
- 2025 trajectory: Struggles with consistency, multiple team stints
- Trade impact: Brought Vargas and prospects to Chicago, reshaping the Sox’s depth
Looking Ahead: Fedde in the White Sox 2026 Rotation
Back in Chicago, Fedde looks like a leading candidate for the fifth spot in a rotation that mixes young talents and veteran depth. He’s slotted behind the likely anchors—Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Davis Martin, and Anthony Kay.
Sean Newcomb sits as the main challenger for that role. Depending on how things go, Fedde could also fill in as a swingman to squeeze extra value out of the calendar.
The Sox seem determined to make every dollar and inning count. Fedde’s one-year deal feels like a practical bet: he’s a durable, capable arm who can fill gaps in a packed rotation.
If he finds the form that made him a focal point during Chicago’s 2024 push, the White Sox might use him as a versatile asset. He could eat innings, slide into the middle of the order, or steady the schedule when others struggle.
Here is the source article for this story: White Sox To Sign Erick Fedde
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