As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals face critical decisions involving several of their pitchers, including closer Ryan Helsley. Teams aiming to strengthen their postseason chances are showing interest, making the potential Ryan Helsley trade deadline Cardinals moves a central topic of discussion in the league.
According to ESPN analysts Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, four Cardinals pitchers have surfaced as notable trade candidates ahead of the July 31 deadline. Helsley ranks 23rd among 50 top trade targets, with around a 30% probability of being traded. Possible destinations include playoff contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Arizona Diamondbacks—all of whom are either competitors or nearby in the wild-card standings.
Assessment of Ryan Helsley’s Current Performance and Trade Prospects
Helsley’s WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) has risen to 1.444, marking the worst figure in his career and the poorest within the Cardinals bullpen this season. Hitters have adjusted to his signature fastball, a pitch he leans on heavily, which has contributed to his recent struggles. Currently under contract through the end of this year, Helsley is experiencing a downturn after winning the Trevor Hoffman Award last season, prompting speculation that the Cardinals may consider moving on from their longtime closer.
Phil Maton Emerges as a Potential Successor and Trade Asset
Within the Cardinals’ bullpen, Phil Maton stands out as a reliable arm who could potentially take over Helsley’s closing duties. Like Helsley, Maton is also among the trade candidates identified by McDaniel and Passan. His contract, worth around $2 million, expires after this season. While Maton could remain an essential part of the Cardinals’ bullpen, his value is attracting attention from multiple playoff-contending teams.
Other Trade Candidates: Erick Fedde and Steven Matz
Erick Fedde, who was acquired by the Cardinals at last year’s trade deadline, holds the 30th spot on the list of potential deals and has a roughly 50% chance of being traded. Despite a decline in strikeout and walk rates compared to his breakout 2024 season following his return from the KBO League, Fedde has maintained effectiveness by limiting damage on batted balls.
“Fedde’s strikeout and walk numbers have regressed from his breakout 2024 season (after coming back from a stint in the KBO League), but he’s allowing less damage on batted balls to keep himself in the rotation.” —Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Given that Fedde will likely enter free agency after the season, the Cardinals may see value in using the trade deadline to secure a replacement for his role.
Steven Matz is another pitching option that could attract interest. Since moving from the starting rotation to relief work, Matz has improved his control, reducing his walk rate to a career-best 1.3 per nine innings. However, concerns regarding his injury history may temper enthusiasm from potential suitors, despite his improved command and fit for teams pursuing a postseason run.
St. Louis’ Position as Potential Buyers and Available Trade Fits
Although the Cardinals currently hold a record well above .500, their status as buyers at the deadline means they may limit the number of trades involving their key pitchers. The team has also been linked as a potential landing spot for pitchers Freddy Peralta, Merrill Kelly, and Reid Detmers, indicating active interest in bolstering their pitching staff for a playoff push.
Implications for the Cardinals’ Season and Future
The potential trades involving Helsley, Maton, Fedde, and Matz reflect the Cardinals’ balancing act between improving the roster for a postseason run and managing contracts and player value before they become free agents. Trading Helsley especially would mark the end of an era for the team’s bullpen, while the acquisition or retention of other arms will be key to maintaining competitiveness.
How the Cardinals handle these pitching assets before the MLB trade deadline will significantly impact their playoff hopes this year and shape their pitching roster moving forward, as management weighs between selling and buying critical pieces during this pivotal moment in the season.