St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado was a prominent name in trade discussions during the offseason, but the eight-time All-Star ultimately remained with the team. Another Cardinal frequently brought up in trade chatter was All-Star closer.
Veteran star, the longest-tenured player with the St. Louis Cardinals, was named one of 10 players most likely to be traded before the July 31 deadline, according to ESPN report. As Tim Kelly noted, “What’s the difference between Ryan Helsley and Arenado? Helsley is in a contract year, so unless he receives an extension, the Cardinals may be motivated to trade him.” This season has been seen as a “reset” year for the Cardinals, with a shift in leadership expected in 2026, as president of baseball operations John Mozeliak gives way to Chaim Bloom. The Cardinals’ position in the standings this summer will be key in determining their approach.
Given the high demand for impact relievers in the summer, Kelly suggested that the Cardinals could secure two top-10 prospects from another team’s system in exchange for Helsley. Helsley, who has been with the Cardinals since being drafted in 2015, expressed mixed feelings about the possibility of a trade. “If I get traded, I hope it’s to a team that I can help win,” he said in December. “But that would be an emotional day because I grew up rooting for the Cardinals, got drafted by them, and I’ve spent 10 years with them.”
Last season, Helsley led the MLB with 49 saves in 65 innings as the Cardinals’ full-time closer. Over his first six seasons, he recorded 84 saves in 102 opportunities. This year, the 30-year-old has converted three of four save chances, with a 2.57 ERA and a WHIP of 1.57. He has struck out nine batters in seven innings. Helsley and the Cardinals are set to face the New York Mets in the second game of a four-game series tonight, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.