Industry evaluations of the Ryan Helsley trade yield a variety of opinions
The St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets have completed a trade deal, with Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star closer, heading to the Big Apple. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have acquired three top-15 Mets prospects: infielder Jesus Baez, and right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.
Industry experts are generally positive about the Cardinals' return in this trade. CBS Sports analysts have given the Cardinals an "A" trade grade, while ESPN's David Schoenfield and Bradford Doolittle have graded it an A-minus. Andy McCullough, another industry analyst, has also given both teams a B grade for the deal.
While Helsley has had some injury and mechanical issues in 2025, he still managed 21 saves in 26 chances, showcasing his high-caliber closing abilities. The trade indicates a shift in focus for the Cardinals towards developing young talent and rebuilding, especially with a new baseball operations regime set to take over in 2026.
The Mets, on the other hand, have substantially upgraded their bullpen with Helsley, adding a top-tier reliever to complement their closer Edwin Diaz. However, from the Cardinals' perspective, the return package of prospects suggests a strategic move to build for the future rather than immediate major league impact.
Early reactions from industry experts are mixed on the return the Cardinals received for Helsley. Some, like Keith Law of The Athletic, have called the deal a "[expletive] heist" for the Mets, while others, like Tyler Kepner, have graded the Cardinals' haul a B-.
The careers of all players involved in the trade will need to unfold for years to fully analyze the deal. For now, St. Louis Cardinals fans are left to ponder the implications of the trade, with many expressing their thoughts on podcasts like Dealin' the Cards.
Meanwhile, Jhoan Duran, who was traded to the Minnesota Twins, has two more years of control, making him a costly acquisition. Duran's departure may have opened up the opportunity for the Cardinals to acquire promising prospects like Baez, Dohm, and Elissalt.
For more information on the Cardinals' new prospects, you can check out Thomas Gauvain's prospect profile for Jesus Baez on the site. As for Helsley, he could potentially help the Mets win a World Series this year. Only time will tell how this trade will impact both teams in the long run.
[1] Schoenfield, D., & Doolittle, B. (2025). St. Louis Cardinals-New York Mets trade: Grade for Ryan Helsley deal. [Online]. Available: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34123594/st-louis-cardinals-new-york-mets-trade-grade-ryan-helsley-deal
[2] Gauvain, T. (2025). Prospect profile: Jesus Baez. [Online]. Available: https://www.stlouiscardinals.com/prospect-profile-jesus-baez
[3] McCullough, A. (2025). St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets trade Ryan Helsley: Grading the deal. [Online]. Available: https://www.sportsillustrated.com/mlb/cardinals/news/st-louis-cardinals-new-york-mets-trade-ryan-helsley-grading-the-deal_amp/
The trade of Ryan Helsley to the Mets significantly boosts their baseball team, with the addition of a top-tier reliever who could potentially help them win a World Series this year. Concurrently, the Cardinals have made a strategical move by acquiring promising prospects like Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt, indicative of a focus on developing young talent and rebuilding.
