Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Could Capitalize On Desperate NL Club In Massive Trade

The Phillies might be desperate to add a reliever this season.
Zach Pressnell|
Mar 27, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently revealed the Philadelphia Phillies had become increasingly concerned with their pitcher Jordan Romano.

"The Phillies have become concerned with closer Jordan Romano, who averaged 96.8-mph on his fastball two years ago, but now is down to about 92-94-mph and struggling holding on runners," Nightengale wrote. "This helps explain why the Blue Jays non-tendered him last winter before the Phillies signed him to a one-year, $8.5 million contract."

What does this have to do with the St. Louis Cardinals?

The Cardinals could be the team that takes advantage of this desperation by swinging a blockbuster trade with the Phillies.

St. Louis has closer Ryan Helsley it could trade this season. Helsley is on the final year of his contract and he's unlikely to re-sign with the Cardinals next offseason. As the Cardinals look to rebuild, a superstar closer might be the least of their worries.

On the other hand, the Phillies have a star left-handed closer already. Adding Helsley would give them a star right-handed closer to pair next to José Alvarado at the end of games.

If the Phillies are as desperate as Nightengale makes it seem, they could be willing to part ways with a massive prospect haul in order to steal the top closer on the market away from the Cardinals.

Last season, Philadelphia gave up quite a bit to land Carlos Estévez from the Los Angeles Angels because it was desperate. This season, the Phillies could do the same thing and the Cardinals could be the main beneficiary.

More MLB: Angels' Hot Start Could Ignite Huge Trade For $260 Million Cardinals 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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