This season, the St. Louis Cardinals must make a critical choice about their top closer. The Cardinals would be wise to sell Helsley while they can still get something out of him because his contract expires at the conclusion of the year. The Cardinals have a little chance of re-signing the righty in the summer because Spotrac predicts that he will sign for $81 million in free agency.
However, St. Louis is now in the midst of an exciting National League wild-card race, making them competitive. The club benefits greatly from having a star closer on the roster. How are the Redbirds going to handle Helsley? According to a recent survey conducted by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, MLB officials said they thought the Cardinals would move Helsley this season, particularly if the team had a rough July.
“The Cardinals are in the NL Central and NL wild-card races and appear closer to being a buyer than a seller,” Bowden stated. However, St. Louis may decide it would be wiser to trade Helsley for future assets at the deadline rather than keep him since he is available for free agency this summer. According to one AL general manager who has spoken with the Cardinals, Helsley’s fate will depend on how the team does in July.
With 29 appearances and 16 saves, the 30-year-old Helsley has a 3.41 ERA. Despite teeing off on his 99 mph four-seamer and hitting.429 against that pitch, batters are only hitting.077 against his wipeout slider. Three teams stand out as the top destinations if the Cardinals decide to deal Helsley: the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Helsley’s trade speculations have long included the Phillies. Despite being among the league’s top teams, they require a closer following Jose Alvarado’s 80-game and postseason suspension. Despite having a strong bullpen, injuries have decimated the Dodgers. They would be bolstering a great bullpen with another elite arm if they added Helsley. It would also be ideal to give up outfielder James Outman in the exchange.
The Yankees may try to add another elite arm to their current group. The Yankees are more likely to go for a less expensive alternative, but they are still eligible to win the Helsley sweepstakes.
