The Los Angeles Dodgers signed two 2024 All-Star closers in the offseason, and it somehow hasn't been enough to create a top-20 bullpen in Major League Baseball.
Maybe the third time is the charm?
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley should be available at the upcoming trade deadline, as his team continues to spiral out of Wild Card contention. He's not quite up to his usual dominant standard, but he still owns a 3.18 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings this year.
Could the Dodgers bring in Helsley on an expiring contract for two months of bullpen assistance? One baseball writer thinks so.
On Wednesday, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted that Helsley would be the Dodgers' biggest acquisition ahead of next Thursday's deadline.
"The Dodgers needed bullpen even before Tanner Scott exited Monday's game with a forearm issue. Scott and Kirby Yates have underwhelmed, and who knows how effective Blake Treinen will be when he returns from his own forearm issue in the coming weeks?" wrote Axisa.
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"I could see St. Louis buying and selling at the same time. Trade Helsley, then pick up a different (controllable) reliever to backfill his innings. The Dodgers seem likely to add multiple relievers at the deadline. I'll bet on Helsley being the most impactful."
Helsley is making $8 million this year, the remainder of which is a drop in the bucket for the Dodgers even with the luxury tax. And if Scott is in danger of missing any significant time, he's got the closer experience that could put manager Dave Roberts' mind at ease.
Within eight days, we'll find out if Helsley will trade Cardinal red for Dodger blue.
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