Dodgers trade deal could mark Cardinals' most daring deadline action
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly exploring a potential trade deal, with the Cardinals considering offering outfielder Lars Nootbaar and reliever Ryan Helsley (who was recently traded to the Mets) among others.
Nootbaar, a young, controllable player under contract through 2027, offers defensive versatility and a left-handed bat. His offensive performance this year has been lacklustre, which may affect his trade value. Helsley, prior to his trade, was a core bullpen piece for the Cardinals, making him a valuable asset.
The Dodgers, who have a need for bullpen arms, could significantly improve their performance by adding Helsley, if he were still available. In a potential trade, the Dodgers might offer prospects from their deep farm system, particularly since they have shown interest in the Cardinals' young bats like Nootbaar and others.
The Dodgers have a surplus of good, major-league ready swing-and-miss pitchers. If they were to include an additional prospect in a trade, it could be the type of deal that would appeal to the Cardinals, especially given Chaim Bloom's preference for drafting such pitchers. Bloom, who was previously with the Red Sox, made significant trades at the deadline, including trading Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros in 2022.
The Dodgers' outfield currently consists of Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages, and a combination of Michael Conforto, Esteury Ruiz, and James Outman. Nootbaar could potentially fit well in this lineup, especially considering his friendship with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tommy Edman.
The Cardinals, who are currently underperforming, may be looking to sell assets before the July 31st trade deadline. The Dodgers ranked tenth in save percentage despite having the most save situations. Adding Helsley, or another reliever, could help improve their performance in this area.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals have some promising pitching prospects. Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone have shown flashes of brilliance in their respective major league debuts. If the Dodgers were to trade for Helsley, they would be acquiring another valuable piece for their bullpen.
No concrete trade packages between the Cardinals and Dodgers involving Nootbaar and Helsley have been reported, but the Cardinals remain open to offers on young bats and pitching talent, and the Dodgers are noted as one team "sniffing around" for Nootbaar and others. The acquisition of Wilyer Abreu, following the trade of Christian Vázquez by the Red Sox in 2022, demonstrates the Dodgers' ability to acquire valuable players in such deals.
In summary, a potential trade package from the Cardinals to the Dodgers would likely feature Lars Nootbaar and possibly other young bats in exchange for top-tier Dodgers prospects, especially pitching or controllable position players. However, the specifics of any potential deal are yet to be confirmed.
The Dodgers may find a boost in their bullpen performance with the addition of Helsley, especially since he offers versatility as a reliever. In a potential trade, the Dodgers could offer their prolific pitching prospects as part of a trade package for Nootbaar and other young bats from the Cardinals.
