Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals-Tigers Trade Would Send Struggling Prospect To St. Louis

The Cardinals could target one of the Tigers' top prospects in a Ryan Helsley trade.
Zach Pressnell|
May 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reacts after the final out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
May 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) reacts after the final out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

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Detroit TigersSt. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have a tough decision to make with their closer, Ryan Helsley. His contract expires at the end of the season and he's likely to sign a massive deal in free agency next winter.

The Cardinals are left to decide whether they should mortgage his value on the trade market and deal him away this season or hold onto him in hopes of making a postseason run.

Right now, the Cardinals are in the postseason race, but things could quickly change. Just as quickly as the Cardinals got hot, they could get cold.

Whether they're contending or not, a Helsley trade makes sense, especially if relief pitchers are going to hold the same astronomical value on the trade market that they did last season.

If Helsley lands on the market, which is expected, the Detroit Tigers could be one of the teams most interested in landing him. The Tigers currently hold the best record in baseball and could use a lockdown closer at the end of games.

If the Cardinals and Tigers come together for a trade here, the Cardinals could target top Tigers prospect Jace Jung in the return for the right-handed flamethrower.

Jung would be the perfect successor for Nolan Arenado at the hot corner in St. Louis. Jung has struggled quite a bit in the big leagues but he's still just 24 years old and has played in just over 50 games.

The versatile infielder is very talented and likely just needs a bit more polishing before he can be trusted as an everyday player in the lineup. He would be a huge addition for the Cardinals. St. Louis needs an Arenado successor, and it could find the perfect answer in a deal with the Tigers.

More MLB: MLB Writer Bashes Cardinals Star, Suggests Blockbuster 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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