Two squads speculated to be pursuing trade negotiations for pitcher, Ryan Helsley, of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Unfiltered, Unbridled, Uncut: The wild and wacky world of big-league bullpens hasn't calmed down, not even in the early days of April. The Cardinals, with their top notch closer, Ryan Helsley, is one of the teams still feeling the heat. Even though Helsley ranks among the league's elite relievers, for the Cardinals, he's more of a luxury than a necessity, given their rebuilding phase.
Rumors have been swirling that Helsley might get traded this season, making him the Cardinals' most valuable trade chip. Many believed he would be gone before the 2025 season kickoff, but Helsley expressed a desire to stay in St. Louis, which could work in the Cardinals' favor. Teams sharp-eyed on the playoff race but lack a shutdown closer might be tempted to trade some serious assets to get Helsley on board.
Helsley dominated the league in 2024, tending saves like a boss, and scoring a spot in the All-Star team. His strong performance has earned him a reputation as a game-changer. Yet, his stats for the 2025 season haven't been as impressive, thanks to the Cardinals' shaky relief pitching.
Potential Suitors
Sources point to at least two teams showing early interest in Helsley – the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies' bullpen is struggling and has the second-highest ERA in the league. The Cardinals might hesitate to deal with the Phillies, though, as they are reluctant to part ways with their top prospects, Andrew Painter and Aidan Miller[1].
The Diamondbacks are the other team with allegedly interested parties. They have a shaky bullpen with the seventh-highest ERA in the league, and late-game reliever A.J. Puk is expected to be out for an extended period. There are also injury concerns around current closer Justin Martinez[1].
The Cardinals could see a return that surpasses the Brewers' trade of Devin Williams, which felt light for some, leading to speculation that a Helsley deal may disappoint the Cardinals' fans[2]. To secure a better payday, the Cardinals might consider trading Helsley during the season instead of offseason, like the Brewers did with Williams[2].
The Cardinals need to be careful if they decide to trade Helsley at the deadline. The worst-case scenario would be an injury that cuts his season short, leaving the Cardinals empty-handed[3]. Helsley has been a stand-up guy during his time in St. Louis, and it'll sting to see him in another uniform, but if he gets traded to a contending team, it'll put the Cardinals in a better position in the long run[3].
[1] USA Today[2] MLB Trade Rumors[3] FanSided[4] MLB.com[5] CBS Sports
- The potential trade of Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals' top reliever, has caused a stir, with two teams showing interest: the Philadelphia Phillies, who are struggling with a second-highest ERA in the league, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, whose bullpen also ranks seventh-highest in the league.
- Given the high demand for a shutdown closer like Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals might be seeking a return that surpasses the Brewers' trade of Devin Williams, which some perceived as light, potentially causing speculation that a Helsley deal may not satisfy Cardinals fans if not handled carefully.
