Ryan Helsley expressed readiness to aid the St. Louis Cardinals in crafting a desirable trade situation as a seller.
Ryan Helsley, one of the best closers in the game with a 3-1 record, 3.00 ERA, and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings, may soon be leaving the St. Louis Cardinals. Helsley, who has been with the team since 2015 and has 21 saves to his name, has expressed a desire to return to St. Louis in the future, but the timing of his potential departure is drawing near.
The Cardinals, currently in a rebuilding phase, could be following a similar path to the New York Yankees' 2016 trade of Aroldis Chapman for prospects. Helsley himself has voiced his support for trading relievers to acquire prospects and build up the depleted farm system.
At least six teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and possibly the Seattle Mariners, have expressed interest in Helsley. The Cardinals, focusing on youth and the farm system, could receive a similar package of prospects for Helsley.
Helsley is "90 percent" certain to be traded, according to his own statements, and he expects to be moved before the trade deadline. However, the proposed method to expedite the Cardinals' rebuild involves trading Helsley for prospects and then re-signing him.
The Cardinals have held onto Helsley in hopes of being competitive in 2025, but with the team entering a rebuilding phase, the chances of Helsley returning to the Cardinals as a free agent immediately after being traded appear low. The team is prioritizing long-term construction of their roster rather than re-signing outgoing veterans, especially those like Helsley who will be pursuing potentially lucrative long-term contracts elsewhere.
Star player Nolan Arenado has expressed hope for Helsley's success but also acknowledged the team's rebuild and the uncertainty for veterans like himself, which suggests a lesser likelihood of the Cardinals returning to prior roster constructions quickly.
Despite the uncertainty, Helsley has stated that he would be open to signing back with the Cardinals. The Cardinals could sign Helsley to a multi-year deal this offseason without having to worry about a qualifying offer.
In the end, the future of Ryan Helsley with the Cardinals is uncertain, but the team's rebuilding direction emphasizing prospect development and youth rather than re-signing departing veterans suggests that Helsley's return to St. Louis via free agency may not be immediate.
[1] ESPN.com [2] MLB.com [3] St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Ryan Helsley's future with the St. Louis Cardinals, who are currently focused on rebuilding and prospect development, could lie in Major League Baseball (MLB) trades with teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, or the Seattle Mariners, with whom he has expressed interest.
- Despite stating that he would be open to re-signing with the Cardinals after a potential trade, Ryan Helsley's return to St. Louis as a free agent immediately after being traded appears unlikely due to the team prioritizing long-term construction of their roster and the depleted farm system.
