This summer, the Milwaukee Brewers traded their star closer, Devin Williams, to the New York Yankees. This opened up the market significantly for the St. Louis Cardinals to follow suit and move their own star closer, Ryan Helsley, away as well. SBNation’s John Stolnis believes the Cardinals will pursue this approach. Stolnis recently stated that the Cardinals could trade Helsley before the 2025 spring training season. “Like (Framber) Valdez, Helsley may become a free agent after this season, and with the Cardinals retooling/rebuilding for the future, having the game’s greatest closer last season means more to St. Louis as a trade piece than he will on the field in 2025.
The 30-year-old recorded a 2.04 ERA in 62 games and led baseball with 49 saves. Stolnis noted, “He finished ninth in the Cy Young voting this year, and over the last three seasons has a 1.83 ERA in 152 games (167 2/3 innings), with a K/BB ratio of 225/60.” “For a contender in need of a shut-down ninth-inning guy, it’s hard to argue Helsley isn’t a better option than Devin Williams was before he was dealt to the Bronx.” When the top free agent closers, including Tanner Scott, are off the market, Helsley’s trade value will increase. When this happens, the Cardinals may be willing to consider more trade proposals for him.
For the time being, general manager John Mozeliak appears to want to retain his star closer to home in St. Louis. At some time, the Cardinals’ front management will understand that trading Helsley as soon as possible will be far more beneficial in terms of maximizing his worth. Trading him once Scott signs is the best option.
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