Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Urged To Cut Ties With $81 Million Flamethrower

The Cardinals might be winning games, but some still believe they should trade Ryan Helsley.
Zach Pressnell|
May 28, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
May 28, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have a few potential trade chips to use at the trade deadline this season if they opt to sell. Given how poorly the Cardinals have played over the last few weeks, it's likely they'll end up selling instead of buying this season.

With that in mind, it's important to look at potential trade chips for the Cardinals.

FanSided's Christopher Kline recently urged the Cardinals to cut ties with Ryan Helsley before he hits free agency next winter. Spotrac projects Helsley to sign for $81 million in free agency.

"There will still be a robust trade market for Helsley, as top-shelf relievers are never short on suitors. A number of contenders will gladly bank on Helsley returning to form after the All-Star break," Kline wrote. "Some may even invest in him as more of a setup or middle relief option, even if he's no longer a lights-out closer. Since he's a free agent at season's end and St. Louis seems unlikely to shell out the necessary contract to keep him under Chaim Bloom's leadership, trading him makes all the sense in the world... right?

"Well, if the Cards are focused on making the playoffs, then there's a good chance Mozeliak gives Helsley the benefit of the doubt and keeps him around for the stretch run. He has spent his entire seven-year career in St. Louis and the Cardinals were completely unwilling to trade him mere months ago."

Trading Helsley should be a no-brainer move for the Cardinals.

They're very unlikely to re-sign him in free agency when he gets there. Trading him before the deadline would land the Cardinals a huge return of prospects instead of losing him for nothing in free agency.

The Cardinals should cut ties with Helsley even if they're in contention at the trade deadline. His value on the trade market is much higher than his value to the team.

More MLB: MLB Writer Shares Harsh Opinion On Cardinals Offseason

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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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