The St. Louis Cardinals are in a tricky situation. Sitting on the cusp of postseason contention, and being out of the race, they have a tough choice when it comes to selling off their veteran players at the MLB trade deadline or not.
In an article from Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals are predicted to trade two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. The Cardinals, teetering on the edge of contention and a fire sale, are predicted to move off Helsley.
"It's a simple yes if they sell." Woo writes. "It's a much more perplexing situation if they don't."
In a scenario where the Cardinals keep Helsley, it would likely come with the Cardinals contending for a postseason spot. But even then, Woo believes the Cardinals should move Helsley no matter what, unless the front office decides to extend him.
"It's a complex decision for a complex trade deadline." Woo writes. "Moving Helsley could define the season. Not moving him could result in a major miss on a return. It's on the Cardinals to decide what matters most."
Helsley is in the final year of his current deal and will be a free agent after the 2025 season. The Cardinals have two choices: move on from him by the MLB trade deadline in July, or extend him after keeping him on the roster.
A third scenario, where they keep Helsley but let him walk for nothing in the offseason, would be a disaster. The Cardinals have to make a choice: keep him or sell. Woo leans towards the Cardinals trading their All-Star closer.
If they do trade Helsley, they would likely get a solid return. In 2025, Helsley has a 3.75 ERA, a 3-0 record, 13 saves, and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. While a decent performance, his 2024 season would be the main reason a team would want the Cardinals' closer.
In 2024, Helsley had a 2.04 ERA in 66.1 innings pitched. He struck out 79 batters, totaled a MLB best 49 saves, and finished with an impressive 204 ERA+, the second highest of his career.
Woo predicts that the Cardinals will trade their two-time All-Star, regardless of whether the Cardinals are still in contention for a postseason berth. The Cardinals aren't likely to re-sign Helsley, so they should move on from him and get a return while they still can.