Although the trade deadline is still three months away, the Phillies are already doing their research. As reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Philadelphia is landing All-star closer a name that has frequently surfaced in trade speculation.
“Among several teams, the Philadelphia Phillies are already keeping a close watch on Cardinals star, who is expected to be moved before the deadline,” Nightengale wrote. The Arizona Diamondbacks are also reportedly interested—and with good reason. At 30 years old, he is considered one of the elite late-inning relievers in baseball.
A two-time All-Star and last year’s winner of the Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award, Ryan Helsley, led the league with 49 saves in 2024 while posting a 2.04 ERA over 65 outings. He was already the subject of trade rumors last summer, but the Cardinals opted to retain him in hopes of contending. As Bailey Digh of Phillies Nation notes, Helsley has been “one of baseball’s premier closers” with a proven ability to shut the door in the ninth.
Phillies Unwilling to Part With Top Prospects
With free agency approaching this winter, acquiring Ryan Helsley may not be as costly as it once seemed. That said, a high-end reliever of his caliber still won’t come cheap. Any team looking to trade for him would be counting on Helsley not only to help finish the regular season strong but also to secure crucial outs in the postseason. He’s flashed triple-digit velocity and dominant stuff this year.
The Phillies have made their trade limits clear. According to Nightengale, they’re “adamant” about keeping both Andrew Painter and Aidan Miller out of any deal. Painter, currently in Low-A Clearwater, is aiming for a summer debut in the majors. Miller, now with Double-A Reading, has struggled offensively early on but continues to be highly valued by the organization.
While Philadelphia’s bullpen has generally held its own, it’s been shaky in high-leverage spots. José Alvarado and Matt Strahm have seen most of the late-inning action, with Orion Kerkering occasionally stepping into the closer role. However, Kerkering’s bouts with control issues have contributed to a few late-game meltdowns. The Phillies have also added Jordan Romano to the mix, but he’s been dealing with inconsistency and minor injuries. With no clear-cut closer, it’s no surprise the team is eyeing potential reinforcements.
Even if Kerkering and Romano stabilize, it’s unlikely president Dave Dombrowski will pass up the chance to add another late-inning weapon — especially after last year’s successful acquisition of Carlos Estévez.
There’s still plenty of season left before trade talks heat up, but Philadelphia’s early interest in Helsley seems like the first step in what could be a busy and competitive deadline landscape.