As the 2025 MLB season hits its midpoint, the St. Louis Cardinals are once again walking a fine line — competitive in the standings, yet facing long-term uncertainty. Sporting a 26-20 record and trailing the division-leading Chicago Cubs by just one game, St. Louis has exceeded expectations, fueled by a rejuvenated Miles Mikolas and a promising group of emerging young players.
However, beneath the surface of this early success lies a pivotal decision that could shape the organization’s future: whether to trade All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. Despite Helsley’s elite performance and value in the ninth inning, the Cardinals must weigh his rising cost, team control nearing its end, and the opportunity to retool for sustainable contention.
Bold Trade Proposal:
Cardinals trade Ryan Helsley to the Baltimore Orioles for infield prospect Coby Mayo and pitching prospect Chayce McDermott.
Analysis:
For the Orioles, acquiring Helsley would solidify the back end of a bullpen that’s been inconsistent in closing games — a crucial boost for a team with World Series aspirations. Helsley brings high-leverage experience and elite stuff that could make him the missing piece in Baltimore’s October push.
For the Cardinals, the deal injects premium talent into both their infield and pitching pipeline. Mayo, a power-hitting third baseman with MLB readiness, offers long-term upside as a middle-of-the-order bat. McDermott, a high-upside arm, gives St. Louis another rotation option for a system light on top-end pitching depth.
Ultimately, trading Helsley while his value peaks could be the savvy move that positions the Cardinals not just for a playoff push in 2025 — but for sustained success in the years ahead.
The Case for Trading Ryan Helsley
If there’s one player the Cardinals should prioritize moving before the 2025 trade deadline, it’s closer Ryan Helsley. The hard-throwing righty delivered what many view as the best season ever by a Cardinals reliever in 2024, but with free agency on the horizon and a wealth of young pitching in the system, Helsley is the perfect trade asset for a franchise aiming to stay competitive now while building for the future.
At 30 years old, Helsley has been a dominant force at the back end of the bullpen, but his trade value may never be higher. Under the new direction of Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals are embracing a youth movement centered around players like Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, Victor Scott II, and Ivan Herrera. Backed by a strong farm system and MLB-ready arms, St. Louis is in a strong position to deal from a strength and still remain in the playoff mix.
There are multiple reasons why moving Helsley now makes sense. First, elite relievers are always sought after by playoff contenders, especially those in need of bullpen help. With his high velocity, strikeout prowess, and recent success, Helsley would immediately become one of the most attractive options available.
Second, even without Helsley, the Cardinals’ bullpen boasts capable options like Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and John King, along with emerging young relievers. On top of that, the organization has a deep well of pitching prospects. Left-handers Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe, along with right-handers Tink Hence and Michael McGreevy, are either contributing or close to ready. That depth gives the team the flexibility to trade Helsley without significantly weakening their roster.
Finally, there’s the looming reality of Helsley’s contract. With free agency approaching, the Cardinals face the risk of losing him for just a compensatory draft pick. Trading him now allows the club to capitalize on his peak value and potentially secure a return that includes both MLB-ready pieces and top-tier prospects.
The Trade Proposal
Considering the high demand for elite relievers and Ryan Helsley’s standout performance, the Cardinals should focus on dealing with a contender that not only has a clear bullpen need but is also willing to pay top dollar for premium relief talent. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a prime candidate—they consistently seek to strengthen their bullpen for deep postseason runs and possess one of the richest farm systems in baseball, making them an ideal trade partner.
Proposed Trade:
Cardinals receive:
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RHP Nick Frasso (Dodgers’ No. 5 prospect)
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OF Josue De Paula (Dodgers’ No. 7 prospect)
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RHP Michael Grove (MLB-ready swingman)
Dodgers receive:
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RHP Ryan Helsley
Nick Frasso, a high-upside right-hander with a mid-90s fastball and improving secondary offerings, projects as a potential rotation piece by 2026. Pairing him with Josue De Paula—a talented outfielder known for his advanced plate approach and emerging power—gives the Cardinals two dynamic prospects to bolster their future core. Michael Grove, meanwhile, provides immediate pitching depth and could step in as either a swingman or back-end starter, helping to absorb the short-term loss of Helsley.
For the Dodgers, acquiring Helsley would stabilize the ninth inning—a critical need for a team with championship aspirations but persistent late-game vulnerabilities. For the Cardinals, the trade brings in two top-10 prospects to an already deep system while adding a controllable big-league arm in Grove.
St. Louis is better positioned than most clubs to handle the departure of a high-leverage reliever. Veterans JoJo Romero and Phil Maton have closing experience and can share ninth-inning duties, while John King and Ryan Fernandez offer versatility in matchup roles. Just as important, young arms like Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence, and Michael McGreevy continue to ascend, giving the Cardinals a pipeline of talent ready to contribute at the major-league level.
Trading Helsley isn’t a surrender—it’s a strategic move. It reflects the Cardinals’ forward-thinking approach: staying competitive in the present while investing in the long-term strength of the organization. By dealing Helsley at peak value, they can enhance their farm system, address both immediate and future roster needs, and position themselves for sustained success as their emerging core takes shape.
