Breaking News: St. Louis Cardinals balancing present competitiveness with future sustainability cut ties with veteran reliever before 2025 deadline

As the 2025 MLB season nears its halfway point, the St. Louis Cardinals are in a familiar yet uncertain spot: staying competitive while grappling with significant questions about their roster’s future.

Holding a 26-20 record and trailing the division-leading Chicago Cubs by just one game, the Cardinals have exceeded preseason expectations—driven by a revitalized Miles Mikolas and an emerging group of young players. Still, beneath their success lies a pivotal crossroads that could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.

The Case for Trading Ryan Helsley

If there’s one asset the Cardinals need to move before the 2025 trade deadline, it’s Ryan Helsley. The hard-throwing right-hander put together one of the finest seasons ever seen from a reliever in Cardinals history in 2024. However, with free agency looming and an abundance of young pitching talent in the organization, Helsley now serves as an ideal trade bait for a team striving to balance current competitiveness with long-term sustainability.

 

 

At 30 years old, Helsley has been an unyielding force in the bullpen, and his market value may be at an all-time high. Under the new regime led by Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals are clearly preparing to shift toward a fresh core, focusing on promising youngsters such as Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, Nolan Gorman, Victor Scott II, and Ivan Herrera.

Combined with a deep farm system and several MLB-ready pitchers waiting in the wings, St. Louis is well-equipped to absorb the loss of a star reliever while capitalizing on the strong demand for elite bullpen talent.

There are several compelling reasons to trade Helsley now. First, top-tier relievers are perennially in demand among contenders—especially those with postseason ambitions yet uncertainties in their bullpen. Helsley’s blend of high velocity, impressive strikeout ability, and a stellar recent track record makes him one of the most coveted arms available.

 

 

Second, although Helsley anchors the bullpen, the Cardinals also boast other reliable arms such as Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and John King, along with a crop of promising young relievers who could step up seamlessly.

Furthermore, the organization’s pitching pipeline is rich with talent; players like left-handers Quinn Mathews and Cooper Hjerpe and right-handers Tink Hence and Michael McGreevy are either ready to contribute at the Major League level or on the verge of doing so. This depth allows the team to trade Helsley without compromising its short-term competitive window.

Finally, Helsley’s contract situation adds urgency. With free agency around the corner, there is a real risk that he could leave for nothing more than a compensatory draft pick. By moving him now, the Cardinals can extract maximum value and potentially secure a return package that blends established Major League-ready talent with high-upside prospects.

The Trade Proposal

With elite relievers in high demand and Ryan Helsley’s strong reputation, the Cardinals should seek out a contender desperate for bullpen help and willing to pay a premium. The Los Angeles Dodgers—known for constantly upgrading their bullpen and boasting a deep farm system—fit that mold perfectly.

Proposed Trade:

Cardinals receive:

• RHP Nick Frasso (Dodgers’ No. 5 prospect)

• OF Josue De Paula (Dodgers’ No. 7 prospect)

• RHP Michael Grove (MLB-ready swingman)

Dodgers receive:

• RHP Ryan Helsley

Frasso is a high-upside righty with a mid-90s fastball and improving secondary offerings, projected to join a big-league rotation by 2026. De Paula brings a promising combination of plate discipline and raw power, potentially becoming a key part of the Cardinals’ future lineup. Grove offers immediate depth, capable of contributing as a swingman or back-end starter to help offset Helsley’s departure.

For the Dodgers, acquiring Helsley secures the closer role on a roster with championship aspirations and recent issues in the late innings. For the Cardinals, the deal brings in two high-ceiling prospects and a controllable big-league arm, strengthening both their present depth and future core.

St. Louis is also better positioned than most to handle losing a top closer. JoJo Romero and Phil Maton have late-inning experience and could share closer duties, while John King and Ryan Fernandez offer situational versatility.

More critically, the continued development of young arms like Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence, and Michael McGreevy allows the Cardinals to keep building their next generation of pitching talent.

Dealing Helsley isn’t about giving up on 2025—it’s a strategic decision aimed at long-term success. By moving him while his value is high, the Cardinals can add elite prospects, stay competitive, and set themselves up for sustained contention as their young core evolves.