The St. Louis Cardinals, seemingly embarking on a full-scale rebuild, present a curious case with their star closer, Ryan Helsley. Despite the team’s shift towards rebuilding, Helsley remains a Cardinal, albeit likely not for long. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season and a projected free agency value of $81 million, his retention by a rebuilding team appears financially untenable. Trading Helsley emerges as a strategic move to bolster the Cardinals’ rebuilding efforts, potentially yielding valuable assets to fuel their future. The impending trade deadline makes this scenario increasingly probable, with several teams likely showing interest in acquiring a high-caliber closer like Helsley.
Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report has proposed a hypothetical trade scenario involving Helsley and the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade would send Helsley to Arizona in exchange for Yilber Diaz, the Diamondbacks’ No. 6 prospect and a right-handed pitcher. Rymer’s rationale highlights Arizona’s need for bullpen reinforcement, a weakness that significantly hampered their 2024 season. Acquiring Helsley, with his exceptional closing abilities, would transform the Diamondbacks’ bullpen from a liability into a potential strength. While the Diamondbacks’ prospect pool isn’t overly deep, they could offer a young, ready-to-contribute player like Diaz to entice the Cardinals. Diaz represents immediate value for St. Louis, potentially slotting into the Cardinals’ pitching rotation or bullpen in the near future.
The Diamondbacks have already demonstrated their aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent with the surprising acquisition of Corbin Burnes, a move that significantly bolstered their starting rotation. Adding a dominant closer like Helsley would further enhance their pitching staff and solidify their competitive stance in the National League West. This division, dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, presents a challenging landscape, requiring teams like the Diamondbacks to make bold moves to contend. Acquiring both Burnes and Helsley would signal a clear intent to compete head-to-head with the Dodgers and other divisional rivals.
From the Cardinals’ perspective, this trade aligns with their rebuilding strategy. While Helsley is undeniably valuable, his impending free agency and high projected salary make him a luxury a rebuilding team can ill afford. Trading him for a promising prospect like Diaz allows the Cardinals to inject young talent into their organization, building a foundation for future success. Diaz, while not a top-tier prospect, possesses the potential to develop into a valuable contributor, aligning with the Cardinals’ long-term goals. This trade, therefore, represents a pragmatic decision for the Cardinals to maximize their return on an asset they are unlikely to retain beyond 2025.
The Diamondbacks’ motivation for pursuing Helsley is clear. Their bullpen deficiencies in 2024 underscored the need for a reliable closer. Helsley’s demonstrated performance makes him an ideal candidate to fill this crucial role, instantly upgrading their bullpen. This acquisition would significantly improve their chances of competing in the highly competitive NL West, potentially closing the gap between them and the dominant Dodgers. Arizona’s willingness to pursue high-profile players like Burnes and Helsley demonstrates their commitment to building a winning team, potentially transforming them into a legitimate contender in their division and beyond.
The proposed trade between the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks, while hypothetical, represents a mutually beneficial scenario. The Cardinals gain a promising young pitcher to bolster their rebuilding efforts, while the Diamondbacks acquire a proven closer to address a critical weakness. This trade embodies the strategic maneuvering that often characterizes baseball’s trade deadline, with teams aiming to optimize their rosters for both immediate and long-term success. The potential impact of this trade on both teams, and potentially the NL West landscape, warrants close observation as the trade deadline approaches.
