Inside The Cardinals

Blockbuster Ryan Helsley Trade Buzz Continues To Heat Up

The Cardinals might look to trade Ryan Helsley...
Zach Pressnell|
May 17, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reaches for a throw during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
May 17, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reaches for a throw during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have a very tough decision to make with their closer, Ryan Helsley, this season.

Helsley is a prime trade candidate because of his value and the fact that he's on an expiring contract. The Cardinals are unlikely to re-sign him in the winter, too. But St. Louis is winning a lot of games this season. If the front office believes the team is a true contender, trading one of their more valuable players might not make sense.

R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports recently discussed Helsley's spot on the trade block this season, even going as far as to link him to "practically every contender" if the Cardinals decide to shop the flame thrower this season.

"Again, it's to be determined if the Cardinals find themselves in a position where selling makes sense," Anderson wrote. "Helsley, an impending free agent, would be an obvious candidate to go should their fortune change.

"He's not had his usual dominant season to date: he's allowed as many home runs this season as he did in the previous two combined, and both his strikeout and walk rates have mozied the wrong direction. Even so, Helsley remains a high-octane, high-leverage arm with ample endgame experience. Potential landing spots: Practically every contender."

Helsley's spot on the trade block likely depends on how the Cardinals perform over the next few weeks. If the team looks like a true contender and they begin playing their best baseball, it's unlikely Helsley is moved. But if the Cardinals falter at all and somebody offers the team a massive trade package, Helsley could be on the move.

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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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