Relief pitching is one of the most coveted assets around the MLB trade deadline, and many expected the St. Louis Cardinals to fetch a significant return for closer—especially given the level of interest he drew during the offseason. However, according to recent insight from Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Cardinals may have waited too long to capitalize on his value.
When a Philadelphia Phillies fan asked Bowden what a “reasonable return” might look like to acquire top star, the insider’s response suggested the price could be surprisingly modest. If true, it reflects poorly on St. Louis’ front office and raises questions about whether they missed their window to maximize his trade value.
Jim Bowden’s recent projection that the Cardinals could land second baseman and outfielder —Philadelphia’s No. 6 and No. 9 prospects—for top key star feels like a sharp departure from the high expectations that surrounded him over the winter. Escobar barely cracks MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 at No. 97, and Burkholder doesn’t appear on the list at all. For one of baseball’s top closers, such a return would be underwhelming and raises serious questions about St. Louis’ handling of his trade value.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak and the Cardinals’ front office may have missed their ideal sell-high window. Six months ago, Helsley generated considerable interest from multiple contenders, and his value was arguably at its peak. Now, approaching 31 years old and in the middle of a less dominant season, Helsley is reportedly drawing far more modest trade interest. His 2025 numbers—3-0 record, 3.19 ERA, 1.387 WHIP, 35 strikeouts, and 18 saves—still reflect a strong reliever, but his league-leading total of blown saves (already surpassing last year’s four) has cast a shadow over his effectiveness.
Complicating things further for St. Louis is the fact that Helsley is on an expiring contract and the club has not engaged in extension talks. That lack of long-term control saps the Cardinals’ leverage, allowing contenders like the Phillies to lowball them. Rival front offices now hold the cards, able to say: “Take our offer—or risk watching him walk for nothing this winter.”
If Helsley is dealt for a mid-tier return like Escobar and Burkholder, it would mark a disappointing outcome for a reliever who once looked like a potential centerpiece in reshaping the roster. For the Cardinals, it would be another chapter in a deadline narrative that continues to raise more questions than answers.