St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley has openly expressed strong confidence that he will be traded before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. In a conversation with Katie Woo of The Athletic, Helsley estimated a 90 percent chance that he will be moved, leaving only a 10 percent chance he remains with the Cardinals. This candid acknowledgment of his trade deadline fate has drawn significant attention given how rarely players discuss their potential moves so straightforwardly.
Cardinals Preparing to Sell as Trade Deadline Approaches
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has essentially confirmed that the team is entering seller mode this season, aiming to trade key players as part of a rebuilding effort. Alongside Helsley, pitchers Phil Maton and Steven Matz are among the primary candidates expected to be available for trade. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, players like Nolan Gorman and John King, who are still under team control, could also be included in possible deals.
Several teams have shown interest in acquiring Helsley, including strong contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays. These clubs would benefit from bolstering their bullpens for the playoff push, and Helsley’s track record makes him an appealing target despite his somewhat uneven performance this year.
Performance and Future Outlook for Helsley with Potential New Teams
This season, Helsley has appeared in 35 games, recording a 3.09 ERA with 39 strikeouts and successfully converting 20 saves. While he has not matched his dominant form from previous years, his experience and skills are highly sought after by playoff contenders in need of reliable late-inning relief. Helsley has expressed a desire to stay with the Cardinals and help the franchise succeed, but he also recognizes the likelihood that the team will prioritize rebuilding over retaining veterans.
Given the Cardinals’ expected rebuilding timeline, there is a strong possibility Helsley will be traded in the coming days. Although a reunion with the Cardinals as a free agent this offseason remains possible, the team stands to gain valuable prospects by trading him now. This approach will support their efforts to build for the future while allowing contending teams to enhance their bullpens for the stretch run.
The End of an Era and What Lies Ahead
If Helsley is traded as expected and does not return to St. Louis, it will conclude a seven-year tenure with the Cardinals. Over that time, he has delivered several strong seasons as a powerful right-handed reliever and is among the longest-serving players currently on the roster. Moving on from Helsley would symbolize a significant shift for the Cardinals, marking the start of a new chapter focused on youth and rebuilding as they reshape their roster for coming seasons.
“I would say it’s 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay.”
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How fast can Ryan Helsley throw?
A. Quick Look at Pitch Types As of 2025, they mainly use a Fourseam Fastball at 99mph and a Slider at 89mph. They occasionally mix in a Curve at 80mph and rarely use a Cutter at 93mph.