The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves 3.5 games behind the final National League Wild Card spot, holding a 55-53 record as they enter the trade deadline period. With their position uncertain and no clear expectation of contending for a championship, the team is facing pressure to consider roster changes to rebuild and address weaknesses.
Meanwhile, the New York Mets occupy first place in the NL East, leading by 1.5 games. After holding the best overall record in baseball earlier this season, the Mets are looking to bolster their bullpen depth, having already added Gregory Soto, and are now pursuing further reinforcements. Ryan Helsley emerges as a prime trade target to complement their current closer, Edwin Diaz.
Trade Proposal Between Mets and Cardinals
A potential trade scenario involves the New York Mets acquiring right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals, while St. Louis would receive third baseman Mark Vientos along with starting pitcher Brandon Sproat, the Mets’ No. 5 prospect. This deal aims to enhance the Mets’ bullpen strength for the stretch run and postseason, though Helsley’s contract expires after this season.
Helsley, 31, has performed steadily this year with a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings pitched, tallying 41 strikeouts and securing 21 saves. His recent track record includes a career-high 49 saves in 2024, featuring a strong 2.04 ERA. Over seven seasons exclusively with St. Louis, Helsley has been a reliable reliever with a career ERA of 2.67. As a two-time All-Star who will become a free agent soon, trading him now offers the Cardinals an opportunity to gain valuable assets.
Profiles of Players Involved In The Trade
Mark Vientos, the third baseman expected to head to St. Louis, has seen a dip in form this season, hitting only seven home runs with 31 RBIs and a .230 batting average over 74 games. Vientos showed great promise last year, posting 27 homers and 71 RBIs, and hitting .327 with five home runs in the postseason. Despite his offensive potential, his defensive struggles have led to his increased use as a designated hitter this season.
The Mets possess considerable depth at third base, with Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña providing options, making Vientos expendable. This aligns well with the Cardinals’ need for infielder depth, especially if rumors about Nolan Arenado’s trade materialize, as Vientos could fill that role or serve as a DH.
Brandon Sproat stands as a highly regarded pitching prospect for New York. The 24-year-old has progressed rapidly through the Mets’ minor league system, currently pitching in Triple-A with a 4.30 ERA across 90 innings and 73 strikeouts in 20 starts. Sproat is rated as the Mets’ fifth-best prospect and could provide the Cardinals with frontline starting pitching help, particularly addressing their rotation’s weaker spots toward the back end.
Impact on the Mets’ Bullpen Dynamics and Fantasy Baseball
Acquiring Helsley would solidify the Mets’ late-inning pitching, pairing him with Edwin Diaz to form one of the most formidable closing duos in the league. Despite this, Diaz would likely maintain the closer role, with Helsley appearing mainly as a setup man or spot closer, limiting his save opportunities compared to his role in St. Louis.
From a fantasy baseball perspective, Helsley’s value in New York would diminish, making him less of a priority for managers. Similarly, Vientos’ inconsistency and reduced playing time this season suggest he would not present a reliable option for daily fantasy lineups right away, despite his past postseason success and power potential.
Trade Significance and Future Outlook
This proposed trade highlights how the Cardinals are ready to leverage Ryan Helsley’s impending free agency to acquire younger talent capable of contributing immediately and in the long term. For the Mets, the move reflects their commitment to fortifying critical bullpen roles as they chase playoff success.
If the deal materializes, the Cardinals would enhance their infield and starting pitching options, potentially setting up a roster reset. The Mets would gain a high-caliber reliever for the remainder of the season, possibly persuading Helsley to sign a longer contract if he flourishes in New York. Fans should expect continued rumors and possible roster moves as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.
“I feel like I’m swinging a lot better, and I’m playing a lot less now.” A candid Mark Vientos has thoughts on his playing time and the trade deadline.
—Anthony DiComo, MLB Insider