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The Cardinals addressed some major trade deadline needs on Monday as they acquired starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from the White Sox.

In return, the Cardinals sent injured utility player Tommy Edman and minor league right-hander Oliver Gonzalez to the Dodgers, and the Dodgers sent prospects to Chicago.

In Fedde, the Cardinals acquire one of the helping the Redbirds shore up an area of concern as they make a playoff push.

Here are 5 things to know about the right-hander Fedde:

From big-time prospect to big-time struggles

Fedde was a major prospect early on, and the Nationals picked him 18th overall out of college at his hometown school UNLV in 2014.

He was coming off a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which dampened his draft prospects.

After some early struggles with injuries and effectiveness, Fedde settled in to become a roughly league-average starter in 2019 and 2020, then the struggles began.

In 2021 and 2022, Fedde’s composite ERA was 5.64 as he .

He was arbitration-eligible, but Washington declined to offer him a contract after 2022, ending his time there.

“He struggled, you know, and when I talk to him I talk to him about — he needs to create his own identity," Nationals manager , according to Federal Baseball. "Location is a big thing for him. Throwing the ball where he wants to. Got to develop his changeup a little bit better, but he’s got a live arm, and when he’s on he’s really good. But it’s consistency with him."

South Korean turnaround

A year in South Korea allowed Fedde to turn his career trajectory around.

After the Nationals non-tendered him in 2022, Fedde elected to take a one-year deal with the NC Dinos of South Korea.

There, Fedde was dominant. In 180 1/3 innings, he was 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA, earning regular-season .

He was the first foreigner to earn the there, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts, showing off after being cut loose by Washington.

The learning experience was invaluable.

“Sometimes it’s hard to work on things in the big leagues. You’re trying to get outs, and that’s what really matters,� Fedde . “But (I went) over there and could throw my changeup 25 times and figure it out, and throw my sweeper 25 times and figure it out. And, you know, it’s tough when you maybe get through the minors and you haven’t done that enough.

“Now, I had a year to reset and figure it out.�

Back to the big leagues

As a result of his showing in South Korea, the White Sox signed Fedde to a two-year, $15 million deal.

He returned to the big leagues with a more confident approach, in addition to some mechanical changes.

“But the belief (now is) that I can throw any pitch over the zone and there’s a good chance they’re probably not looking for it, because I have so many weapons," Fedde told the . "And that leads to less walks, for sure.�

At 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, Fedde has been the 20th-most-valuable starter in baseball this year by Fangraphs wins above replacement, just behind Sonny Gray and far ahead of any other Cardinals starter.

In 21 starts, Fedde has allowed three or fewer earned runs 16 times.

He'll go from playing in front of one of baseball's worst defenses to being backed by a far more competent group of fielders.

“Looking back a couple years ago, if you told me I was striking out close to double digits and going deep into games, I’d probably chuckle a little,� Fedde told . “But you know, (this is) what I’ve dreamed to do, and now it’s just, keep going.�

Scouting report

Fedde relies mostly on four pitches, leading with a cutter that he throws 30.9% of the time.

Batters are hitting .261 vs. that pitch, which sits at 90 miles per hour.

He throws his 93mph sinker 29.8% of the time, eliciting a .234 batting average against.

One of his best pitches and a key addition is the sweeper, which he throws 20.3% of the time. Batters are hitting just .167 against it. His 27.9% whiff rate against it is his best for any pitch.

He had only thrown a sweeper 29 times before this season, all in 2021 and to poor results.

Fedde throws the changeup, at 87.8mph, 18.9% of the time to the tune of a .226 batting average against.

The changeup is the only pitch that ranks poorly, according to .

Fedde's average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and walk rate are all above average.

Fedde fills a spot for next year

His acquisition likely lightens the winter shopping list.

The 31-year-old is under contract for one more season, so Fedde will be an integral part of the team's starting rotation plans in the offseason.

Sonny Gray remains under contract for two more seasons, Steven Matz and Miles Mikolas each have another year on their deals, and the Cardinals have team options on Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson for next season.

So far this year, the Cardinals rank 17th in baseball in Fangraphs wins above replacement for starting pitchers.

That's two spots better than last year, after which they made rotation upgrades an offseason focus.

Fedde, who ranks far better than any Cardinals starter except Gray, can only help lift the rotation.