The St. Louis Cardinals are grappling with a tough decision.
St. Louis faces a tough trade predicament with their two-time All-Star player in light of recent rumors
Sources suggest that the Cardinals are contemplating trading closer Ryan Helsley, but his recent performances might be impacting his trade worth.
According to USA Today, the Cards were banking on keeping Helsley throughout the first half of the season to boost his trade value. However, after racking up a league-leading 49 saves last season, he's managed only four saves in six chances with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. This dip in performance has left his trade stock hanging in the balance.
As of now, Helsley sports a 4.09 ERA overall this season, having surrendered an earned run against the New York Mets on May 2. He now boasts a 1.55 WHIP.
The Cardinals are scratching their heads, staring at a 14-19 season as they approach Sunday. St. Louis has managed a 5-5 record in their previous 10 games.
Pitching Woes in St. Louis
Helsley has struggled mightily for St. Louis this season. In 11 outings, he's allowed five earned runs. Last season, Helsley granted just 15 earned runs in 65 game appearances.
Remarkably, the All-Star pitcher is not accustomed to such control issues. Helsley was named an All-Star in both the 2022 and 2024 seasons and, last year, led Major League Baseball in saves with 49. He even bagged the National League Reliever of the Year award following those remarkable performances.
Cardinals fans are crossing their fingers, hoping that the closer can regain his form. The team's rotation and bullpen have been a work in progress, with the Cardinals hoping to find a solid combination.
In a bid to bolster their pitching staff, the Cardinals have recruited top prospect Michael McGreevy from triple-A Memphis.
It's been a tough ride for the Cardinals so far. Struggling to get outs, they rank second-to-last in the National League Central. The Redbirds have managed just four wins away from home this season.
The Cardinals will face off with the Mets in a doubleheader on Sunday.
Trade Value of Ryan Helsley
Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals' closer, has faced a fluctuating assessment of his trade value. Despite demonstrating a respectable 3.60 ERA, his overall performance has fallen short, primarily due to a decline in his strikeout rate to 22.7% from mid-to-high 30s in previous seasons. Additionally, Helsley's ERA is higher than usual, and his xERA, FIP, and xFIP exceed 4.00, suggesting potential problems beyond his ERA. This inconsistency has fostered doubts about his current value.
Possible Suitors
Several teams could express interest in Helsley due to his background and potential for improvement. The Arizona Diamondbacks are rumored to be a potential suitor, particularly given their need for bullpen reinforcements and their aspirations to make the postseason. Another possible destination is the Texas Rangers, who have emerged as a top suitor for Helsley's services.
Impact on the Team
If the Cardinals part ways with Ryan Helsley, it could profoundly affect their bullpen dynamics. Given his status as a pending free agent and the team's expected offload this summer, dealing Helsley could bring valuable prospects to St. Louis. However, if Helsley's performance fails to recover, the trade return might be lower than the Cardinals would hope for. Conversely, keeping Helsley could provide a bulwark in the bullpen if he regains his form, but his potential departure to free agency means that trading him now might be the best path to maximize value for the future.
In terms of immediate team performance, losing Helsley might impact the team's ability to close games, necessitating adjustments in the bullpen. However, if the trade yields promising prospects, it could boost the Cardinals' long-term prospects and rebuild efforts.
- Despite the rumors, the Cardinals are hesitant to trade Ryan Helsley due to his recent struggles and the impact on his trade value.
- Helsley's dip in performance this season, with a 4.09 ERA, has left his trade stock hanging in the balance, causing the Cardinals to fiddle with their decision.
- If the Cardinals decide to trade Helsley, it could potentially improve their pitching staff by bringing in prospects, but it might also negatively impact their bullpen dynamics and ability to close games.
- The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers are among the teams rumored to be interested in acquiring Helsley, given his background and potential for improvement.
- The Cardinals, with a 14-19 season approaching Sunday, are hoping that Helsley can regain his All-Star form to bolster their struggling rotation and bullpen in the major league baseball (MLB) sports of baseball.
