MLB analyst Zach Pressnell of Newsweek believes the Philadelphia Phillies should pursue a top-tier closer to address their underperforming bullpen.
The bullpen has been a weak spot for the Phillies, and according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the team has some reservations about Jordan Romano’s role in high-pressure situations. As a result, Pressnell suggests that Philadelphia should target Him of the St. Louis Cardinals in a potential trade.
“If the Phillies aren’t confident in Romano handling key late-inning situations, they might consider making a deal with the Cardinals for hard-throwing closer Ryan Helsley,” Pressnell wrote. “Helsley is in the final year of his deal, and Spotrac estimates he could command around $81 million as a free agent next offseason. It’s unlikely the Cardinals will pay that to keep him.”
Pressnell also noted that the Phillies let relievers Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman leave in free agency without properly filling the void. Acquiring Helsley could not only address that gap but provide an upgrade in high-leverage scenarios. While the trade price would be steep, Pressnell believes it could be a worthwhile investment.
Helsley is earning $8.2 million in 2025 and will hit free agency in 2026. With his contract expiring, the Cardinals may be open to trading him for future assets. A two-time All-Star and the MLB saves leader in 2024, Helsley has logged a 3.00 ERA over 6 innings this season with 2 saves.
Insider: Philies Concerned About Reliever
Philadelphia may consider adding a bullpen arm due to Jason Romano’s early-season struggles.
Romano was signed by the Phillies to a one-year, $8.5 million contract after being non-tendered by the Blue Jays, who had concerns about his health. Although Romano appeared healthy during spring training, his performance in the regular season has raised red flags, according to Bob Nightengale.
“The Phillies have grown worried about closer Jason Romano,” Nightengale reported. “He averaged 96.8 mph on his fastball two years ago, but that’s now dropped to around 92–94 mph. He’s also having trouble controlling the running game, which sheds light on why Toronto chose not to bring him back.”
So far, Romano has a 10.50 ERA over 7 appearances, with 1 save and no decisions.
Insider Explains Why Cardinals Didn’t Trade Helsley
Helsley was widely expected to be dealt during the offseason, but no trade came to fruition.
As reported by Cardinals insider Katie Woo of The Athletic, St. Louis chose not to fully signal a rebuild, which influenced their decision to keep Helsley.
“At the conclusion of the 2024 season, there was a strong belief that Helsley would be on a different team by 2025 — even Helsley anticipated being traded,” Woo explained. “However, Mozeliak wasn’t ready to throw in the towel completely. He didn’t believe a full-scale rebuild was needed (and to be fair, that’s a reasonable take). He aimed to stay competitive and considered Helsley a key piece in achieving that goal…
“Could the Cardinals still move Helsley at the trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention? Absolutely,” Woo continued. “But any dip in his health or performance could reduce his trade value. Plus, the team would lose some negotiating power since players traded midseason aren’t eligible for a qualifying offer, which would impact Helsley’s overall value.”
In the end, the Cardinals may still explore dealing Helsley before the deadline.
Be the first to comment