Inside The Cardinals

Popular Cardinals Trade Candidate Heating Up At Perfect Time

Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley racked up nine saves in May.
Zach Pressnell|
May 31, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
May 31, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have been involved in quite a few trade rumors this season and offseason. Most of the rumors have surrounded the expiring players on the roster like Ryan Helsley and Erick Fedde. There have also been quite a few rumors involving veteran infielder Nolan Arenado.

But the most interesting piece of the puzzle for the Cardinals is Helsley. This isn't just because the righty holds the most trade value of the rumored trade candidates. There's a good chance the Cardinals will look to trade Helsley whether they're competitive at the trade deadline or not.

The Cardinals came into the season likely looking to rebuild, but they've won too much this season to blow up their roster. Either way, Helsley makes sense as a trade chip. The Cardinals are unlikely to re-sign him after this season and the flamethrower holds immense trade value. And his value is only going up.

Helsley is seemingly getting hot at the right time for the Cardinals. In the month of May, he was one of the best closers in baseball after a bit of a rough start. In May, Helsley was nine for nine on save opportunities and recorded a win in 11 innings on the mound.

The righty hasn't been as elite this season as he was last season, but it's great to see him moving in the right direction. If he can have another month or two like May, there's a good chance the Cardinals ship him away at the trade deadline in exchange for a massive package of prospects.

Even if the Cardinals don't trade him, seeing him heat up is the best case scenario for St. Louis. Having a reliable option for the ninth inning is massive for contending teams.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted To Cut Ties With $260 Million Star In 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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