Erick Fedde and the potential fit in Detroit
The 18th-overall pick in the 2014 draft, Fedde worked to a 3.69 ERA in 90.1 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. He also earned three starts with the Nationals.
Utilizing a pitching troika consisting of a fastball, slider and changeup, Fedde isn’t a finished product at the Major League level yet, but could be a long-term rotation option next to Michael Fulmer in the Motor City.
If Washington goes all in for 2018, there wouldn’t be much room in the rotation for Fedde with former Tiger Max Scherzer heading up a rotation that also includes Stephen Strasburg, Gonzalez, Roark and Joe Ross. A.J. Cole can also work out of the rotation.
In return for Wieters and Fedde, Detroit could send a pitcher already on the team’s 40-man roster to Washington in this hypothetical salary dump.
Detroit could send Warwick Saupold or Chad Bell to Washington to give the Nats an extra depth piece for the rotation.
Wieters would in no way unseat James McCann behind the plate, but his presence would allow Detroit to utilize John Hicks at first base more.
This, in turn, would let Miguel Cabrera see more time at designated hitter, lengthening his career in the process.