The Philadelphia Phillies could look to bolster their roster ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline on July 31. In a recent article for The Athletic, MLB insider Jim Bowden proposed five trades he’d like to see in May (subscription required), one of which involves the Phillies dealing their No. 8 prospect, starting pitcher Mick Abel, to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for reliever .
Philadelphia’s bullpen has been inconsistent to start the season, and team president Dave Dombrowski may seek another right-handed arm before the deadline. Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering have both struggled at times. Despite the bullpen issues, trading Abel wouldn’t be a wise move.
Abel, who had a tough 2024 campaign, has bounced back in 2025. Before his May 6 start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he posted a 2.75 ERA over 39 1/3 innings across seven starts, giving up 12 earned runs. This already surpasses his win total from last season. His strikeout rate is solid, and he’s also reduced his walk rate significantly—from 6.5 walks per nine innings last year to 3.9 this season.
Although he still needs to cut down on walks—his career minor league average is 5.2 per nine innings—Abel’s early 2025 results are encouraging. The Phillies demonstrated their belief in his potential by adding him to the 40-man roster this offseason, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. With limited high-level starting pitching depth behind Abel and Andrew Painter, the Phillies should continue developing Abel rather than trading him.
As for Ryan Helsley, he’s coming off an excellent 2024 season as the Cardinals’ closer, where he posted a 2.04 ERA with 49 saves. However, his current 3.46 ERA and career-high 1.54 WHIP suggest some regression. He has five saves this season and remains a solid bullpen piece, but he’ll be a free agent after 2025.
Bowden suggests the trade would make more sense if the Phillies were able to sign Helsley to an extension. That would justify parting with Abel, especially with other relievers like Romano and Joe Ross potentially leaving in free agency after this season, and uncertainty around club options for Matt Strahm and José Alvarado.
Ultimately, while Abel still has areas to improve, he’s only 23 and trending upward. Trading him for a short-term bullpen fix would be shortsighted, and the Phillies would be better off keeping him in the system.