Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Predicted To Cut Ties With $81 Million Star In Shocking Trade

The Cardinals need to make a big decision this month...
Zach Pressnell|
Jul 8, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jul 8, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals are seemingly shaping up as buyers this season. Despite that, they should still look to trade away Ryan Helsley in the coming weeks. Helsley sits on an expiring contract and Spotrac projects him to sign for $81 million in free agency. At that price, the Cardinals will almost certainly lose him this offseason.

There are bound to be a lot of potential suitors for Helsley. He's one of the more talented and reliable closers in the game right now.

Clutchpoints' Zachary Howell recently predicted the Cardinals would trade Helsley to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Abraham Toro ahead of the trade deadline this month.

"St. Louis has been trying to trade Nolan Arenado away for months. If they do, there is a hole at third base on Oliver Marmol’s lineup," Howell wrote. "Abraham Toro is a perfect fit at third and first base if the Cardinals want to move on from Willson Contreras as well. The switch-hitter fits what St. Louis needs now, as well as their plans for the future.

"At .281 with five home runs across 51 games, Toro is playing well. However, his limited opportunities could have him searching for a way out of Boston. When Triston Casas returns from injury, he will replace Toro at first base heading into next season. Without a concrete role on the team, Toro could find himself buried on Cora’s roster."

This trade doesn't make sense for a few reasons. One, Helsley has more value than Toro in a straight up trade. The Cardinals would be better off holding onto Helsley than acquiring Toro.

While St. Louis is seemingly looking to move on from Nolan Arenado, they haven't been able to do so. Adding another infielder to a crowded infield room that already doesn't have room for Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt would be foolish.

If the Cardinals trade Helsley, it's likely to be for an impact starting pitcher or a load of prospects.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted To Land 17-Year-Old Switch Hitting Star

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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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