The Cardinals and Phillies could come together in a massive trade for a St. Louis star.
Jun 9, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, despite recent struggles, remains a hot commodity as the July 31, 2025, MLB trade deadline approaches. Matt Grazel of FanSided has urged the Philadelphia Phillies to pursue the hard-throwing right-hander, highlighting a potential blockbuster deal.
“The Phillies have been a rumored destination for reliever Ryan Helsley since April, before Alvarado’s suspension,” Grazel wrote. “No matter how healthy the Phillies’ bullpen may be, the club will look to add at least one reliever by the trade deadline following Alvarado’s suspension. Helsley may still be traded this summer by the St. Louis Cardinals, even though the club is in the Wild Card hunt for a playoff spot.”
The Phillies, seeking a reliable closer, view Helsley as the market’s top option. With a deep prospect pool, Philadelphia can afford a bold move. Meanwhile, the Cardinals, unlikely to re-sign Helsley due to his projected $81 million contract, per Spotrac, could secure a massive prospect haul by trading him before he hits free agency post-2025.
Grazel noted, “Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will need to have multiple contingencies in place should he be unable to make a trade for Helsley. He may be worth trading prospects for, especially if Philadelphia can sign him to a contract extension.”
Helsley’s high-90s fastball and proven closing ability make him a prime target, despite a slight dip in form. The Cardinals, in a tight Wild Card race, must weigh keeping him for a playoff push against the long-term gain of trading him.
Will the Phillies land Helsley to bolster their bullpen, or will another team swoop in? Stay tuned for trade deadline drama!