While the St. Louis Cardinals are exploring trades involving veteran closer Ryan Helsley, the 31-year-old wishes he could stay in St. Louis. But, with the team's injured minor league rotation, landing starting pitching prospects is a big need for the team, and Helsley is their best bet to land such a return.
In an article from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley revealed that if he were to be traded, he would be interested in re-signing with the team in the offseason.
"Obviously, I want to stay here my whole career," Helsley said. "But I think they have the perfect opportunity that they want to do now in the season, which is shed some payroll and get some guys out of here and see what the young guys can do in this last 60-or-so game stretch. I would be, for sure, open to (signing) back,"
Helsley wants to stay in St. Louis, while the team wishes to trade him to bolster their farm system. But the best of both worlds is possible if Helsley spends a few months with a new team to close out the 2025 season.
If he joins a new team, he would still become a free agent, and with his desire to return to St. Louis, the Cardinals could re-sign him to a deal in the offseason after a brief stint elsewhere.
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Helsley is drawing significant trade interest, and he's expected to be dealt at the deadline. Aside from controllable players who'd cost a fortune, Helsley is the most expensive and desirable asset at the deadline from St. Louis's roster.
He has a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings with 21 saves and 41 strikeouts this season. He's been a solid reliever once again and will fetch a nice return at the deadline if the Cardinals do trade him to one of the many teams interested in his services.
While Helsley is expected to be dealt, he is open to a return to the Cardinals in the offseason. St. Louis could net a prospect return while getting Helsley back in free agency, which would allow the 31-year-old to stay in St. Louis for the bulk of his career.
This would be an ideal outcome for the Cardinals and Helsley. The team would net a solid return for the veteran closer, while Helsley could still return in the offseason.
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