Inside The Cardinals

Dodgers-Cardinals Trade Would Add More Talent To Loaded LA Bullpen

Do the Dodgers need another bullpen arm?
Zach Pressnell|
May 17, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches 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) pitches during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

In this story:

St. Louis CardinalsLos Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the business of buying talent and winning now. That's the way they've operated for a while now and it doesn't seem to be changing any time soon.

Even when they have a lot of talent, they go out and get more. This should be expected to be the case at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, too, especially considering all the injuries the Dodgers are dealing with right now.

Dodgers' pitcher Kirby Yates is battling an injury, and he's expected to land on the injured list in the near future. If Yates lands on the IL, there's nothing stopping the Dodgers from going after the best closer on the trade market, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley.

The Cardinals should trade Helsley this season, despite their strong start to the season. Helsley's contract comes to an end at the end of the season and St. Louis is unlikely to re-sign him. He's also bound to fetch a massive return on the trade market if the Cardinals shop him.

The Dodgers have the prospects to land a massive deal for Helsley. They could shop a package centered around players like Bobby Miller and James Outman, both of whom have high ceilings, but struggle to land playing time with the loaded Dodgers.

To make matters even better for Los Angeles, it has the money to ink Helsley to a longer term contract in the offseason if it opts to trade for him.

Either way, this wouldn't be a trade of desperation for the Dodgers, but rather one of luxury.

More MLB: Dodgers-Cardinals Trade Would Save Los Angeles' Season

Published
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

Home/St. Louis Cardinals News