Inside The Cardinals

Blockbuster Cardinals-Dodgers Trade Could Ruin MLB This Season

Could the Dodgers trade for Ryan Helsley?
Zach Pressnell|
Apr 16, 2025; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) throws in relief in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2025; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) throws in relief in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles DodgersSt. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are likely going to shop their closer Ryan Helsley this season. Helsley is on the final year of his contract and Spotrac projects him to sign for $81 million in the offseason. With that price tag on him and the current state of the Cardinals, it's unlikely the two sides come to terms on a new deal.

When the Cardinals begin to shop the star closer, they'll likely have a dozen or so suitors. Any contending team could be interested in bringing in a star closer. That even includes the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers already have Blake Treinen at the back end of games. Evan Phillips is hurt, but he'll be back soon. In the offseason, the Dodgers added Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott, too. That's four closers set to be on the roster this year. And, yes, they could still add Helsley.

The Dodgers can never have enough talent. They have never shown hesitation to add stars, no matter the money or prospect capital it would take to add them. Each year, Los Angeles is dedicated to winning the World Series at the end of the season. Adding Helsley would be quite expensive for the Dodgers to acquire, but it would make them even better.

It's important to note that this isn't the most likely trade destination for Helsley, but it's still a suitor to pay attention to.

Last season, the San Diego Padres added the aforementioned Scott to a bullpen that already had Robert Suarez. This season, the Dodgers could send some talented prospects, potentially Bobby Miller or James Outman, to the Cardinals to bring Helsley to the best roster in the league.

More MLB: Cardinals' $81 Million Star Linked To Yankees In Shocking Trade

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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