The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves at the crossroads of a critical decision-making point as they hover just outside postseason contention. The big question looming over the franchise concerns what to do with their formidable closer, Ryan Helsley, as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
In the conversation surrounding the Cardinals, the idea of trading their two-time All-Star Helsley is gaining traction. This is a team standing on the brink of a full-fledged fire sale, and Helsley sits right at the center of this discussion. There are whispers in the baseball community suggesting that if the Cardinals decide to sell, Helsley would likely be one of the first to go.
Helsley’s current situation adds layers of complexity. Should the Cardinals opt to hold onto him, it might signal a push for the postseason. However, the consensus, including insights shared by analysts like Katie Woo, leans towards trading him unless there’s a commitment from the front office in the form of a contract extension.
The decision doesn’t come easy during a trade deadline that promises to be full of intrigue. Moving Helsley could reshape the Cardinals’ season, bringing in valuable assets for the future. Conversely, holding onto him without any extension plan might mean losing him for nothing after his contract concludes post-2025.
Helsley’s performance this year, holding a 3.75 ERA, a 3-0 record, 13 saves, and 28 strikeouts over 24 innings, is respectable. But it’s his stellar showing in 2024 – boasting a 2.04 ERA across 66.1 innings, with 79 strikeouts and a league-topping 49 saves – that puts him in high demand. His 204 ERA+ from that year was the second-best of his career, making teams eye his services eagerly.
For the Cardinals, the decision is twofold. They could either capitalize on Helsley’s impressive track record and trade him for a robust return, or extend him to secure his talents for their own long-term plans. The third option, allowing him to depart without compensation, is widely seen as the least favorable.
With time ticking towards the deadline, all eyes are on the Cardinals’ next move concerning Helsley. Will they seize the opportunity to bolster their future, or will they gamble on chasing postseason dreams with Helsley still in their bullpen? The clock is ticking, and the decision they make will undoubtedly shape the team’s trajectory moving forward.
