Inside The Cardinals

MLB Writer Suggests Dodgers Trade For Cardinals' $81 Million Star

The Dodgers could look to pursue a trade for one of the Cardinals' best players.
Zach Pressnell|
Apr 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A hat and glove of an Los Angeles Dodgers player durng a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Apr 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A hat and glove of an Los Angeles Dodgers player durng a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles DodgersSt. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals will likely look to trade closer Ryan Helsley whether they're contending or not.

The Cardinals aren't built to win the World Series this season and Helsley's contract expires after the campaign. Relievers typically land huge prospect hauls on the trade block, so there's a good chance the Cardinals are shopping their closer this season.

Katrina Stebbins of Dodgers Way recently suggested the Dodgers could look to pursue a trade for Helsley. Helsley is projected to sign a six-year, $81 million deal in free agency next offseason, per Spotrac.

"Helsley would be another true rental from St. Louis and is owed $8.2 million in his last season before free agency. He led baseball in saves last season with 49 and has nine in 12 finished games so far this season," Stebbins wrote. "The Dodgers have a closer in Tanner Scott, but Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Kirby Yates, and Evan Phillips' absences have left massive holes in the bullpen, especially for high leverage situations.

"Helsley's name has already been thrown out as an option for the Phillies, who lost Jose Alvarado to a PED suspension this week, so his market could be competitive if the Cardinals are willing to sell."

The Dodgers would make a lot of sense as a fit, plus they have the prospect capital to make it happen. The Cardinals could target failed big leaguers with huge potential like Bobby Miller or James Outman. Neither seem to have a future with Los Angeles, but could be massive pieces for the Cardinals.

Either way, the Dodgers need to add a bit more to their bullpen and the Cardinals have the best name on the market. A deal could be a real possibility this season.

More MLB: Cardinals Writer Has High Praise For Breakout Pitcher

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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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