The St. Louis Cardinals are in a familiar but vulnerable position as the 2025 Major League Baseball season draws to a close: they are competitive, but there are obvious personnel concerns that cast doubt on their long-term prospects. The Cardinals are exceeding preseason projections with a 26-20 record, one game behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs, mostly due to a rejuvenated Miles Mikolas and a new generation of talent emerging. However, beneath the surface, the team must make a crucial choice that may determine the course of Cardinals baseball in the future.
The Case for Trading Ryan Helsley
Closer Ryan Helsley is the one player the Cardinals need to cut before the 2025 trade deadline. With free agency approaching and the team stocked with young pitchers, Helsley is the perfect trade chip for a team trying to strike a balance between current competitiveness and long-term viability. The hard-throwing right-hander wrote what many consider to be the best season by a reliever in Cardinals history in 2024.
At the back of the bullpen, Helsley, 30, has been a lockdown presence, but his worth might never be greater. With a focus on young players like Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, Victor Scott II, and Ivan Herrera, the Cardinals, led by Chaim Bloom, have shown a desire to move toward their next core. St. Louis is in a unique position to capitalize on the thriving bullpen ace trade market while absorbing the loss of a top reliever because to its rich farm system and numerous MLB-ready arms waiting in the wings.
It makes sense to trade Helsley at this time for a number of reasons. First, contenders are constantly looking for exceptional relievers, particularly ones who have bullpen doubts but October dreams. Helsley would be among the most sought-after arms on the market due to his velocity, strikeout potential, and recent performance.
Second, the Cardinals’ bullpen, which is anchored by Helsley, has a number of capable arms, including Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, John King, and promising young relievers, who could fill in for him. More significantly, the team’s pitching pipeline is full of talent, with left-handers Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe, right-handers Tink Hence and Michael McGreevy, and others who are either already making an impact at the major league level or are in the process of doing so.
Third, there is a ticking clock on Helsley’s contract. The possibility of losing him for little more than a compensatory draft selection is real as free agency draws near. The Cardinals may maximize their value and perhaps obtain a deal that includes both high-upside prospects and major-league-ready talent by trading him now.
The Trade Proposal
The Cardinals should look for a candidate who has a clear bullpen need and is prepared to spend for top-tier relief assistance, especially considering the market for exceptional relievers and Helsley’s size. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have a rich farm system and are constantly looking to strengthen their bullpen, meet this description.
