The Philadelphia Phillies are in need of bullpen help. Their relief corps has not performed well to start the 2025 season, and left-hander Jose Alvarado was recently lost to an 80-game PED suspension.
Alvarado is also ineligible for the postseason, so the Phillies won't have that presence at the back end of their bullpen when it matters most.
This was a significant loss for the Phillies, and they are going to need to find an arm or two to replace him.
Zach Pressnell of Sports Illustrated proposed the idea of Philadelphia calling the St. Louis Cardinals for some help.
"With Alvarado out for 80 games and the postseason, the Phillies will need to turn to the trade block to find a star closer. The best option who's expected to be on the market is St. Louis Cardinals flame thrower Ryan Helsley," Pressnell wrote.
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Helsley set a franchise record and saved 49 games last year and posted a 2.04 ERA with the Cardinals. That was enough for him to be named the National League Reliever of the Year.
2025 has been no exception for the 30-year-old fireballer. He has earned nine saves in 19 appearances and has a 2.81 ERA on the year.
Pressnell proposed the idea of Philadelphia sending outfield prospect Justin Crawford to St. Louis. That is certainly the type of prospect that St. Louis would want in a return package, though they might lean more towards the pitching side.
Helsley is a two-time All-Star and would significantly boost the Phillies bullpen. He is arguably the best closer in Major League Baseball, and a team looking to make a run like the Phillies will certainly be willing to pay a hefty price to land him.
We'll see if the Phillies and Cardinals can strike a deal.
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