One strong week may propel the St. Louis Cardinals into control of a postseason berth. They started the day on the bubble of contention. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, despite the possibility of a significant return, the Cardinals are likely to keep closer Ryan Helsley on the team.
Given that Helsley will be a free agency at the end of the current campaign, the Cardinals would be taking a chance with this move. If this risk doesn’t work out, Helsley leaving might leave the Cardinals with nothing in the summer.
Since the offseason, there have been rumors that the Cardinals wanted to let go of their single-season saves record holder. However, the squad is now hoping to make it to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
Despite being less productive this season, Helsley still has 19 saves and a 3.27 ERA. In terms of average fastball velocity and chase rate, the right-hander continues to lead the league. Helsley still possesses the skills necessary to be the foundation of a major league bullpen, even after a difficult season.
The Cardinals play a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies after starting the second half with a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals may be able to secure a postseason berth before the trade deadline if they take care of business during the upcoming week.
Helsley might still be traded on the deadline if the Cardinals collapse, but given their upcoming schedule, they might find themselves in the thick of the postseason battle.