The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a new challenge after trading their closer, Ryan Helsley, to the New York Mets. Helsley made his Mets debut recently, pitching one inning while allowing two hits and striking out three batters, maintaining a solid 2.92 ERA over 37 appearances this season. With Helsley now gone, the Cardinals must determine how to fill the crucial closer role moving forward.
Closer-by-Committee Approach to Replace Helsley
The Cardinals’ manager, Oli Marmol, revealed that the team will adopt a closer-by-committee system rather than naming a single pitcher to the position. Marmol indicated that while JoJo Romero might be the best option for closing games, his status as the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen complicates his usage. This strategy aims to balance the bullpen’s workload and maintain its effectiveness despite the lineup changes.
Bullpen Performance and Remaining Depth
Before the trade, Helsley was a key bullpen asset alongside Steven Matz and Phil Maton, both of whom have also left the team. Despite these departures, the Cardinals’ bullpen has ranked among the league’s best this season, boasting the sixth-best ERA in Major League Baseball at 3.51. Although replacing Helsley will be difficult, the Cardinals still retain enough talent to keep their bullpen competitive.
Team Outlook Following Midseason Changes
Currently holding a 55-56 record through 111 games, the Cardinals are navigating a period of transition. The decision to trade Helsley was expected after months of trade rumors, and while the team is losing significant bullpen contributors, the closer-by-committee plan could provide the flexibility necessary to manage the remaining pitching staff effectively. The direction taken now will be important for the Cardinals’ ability to finish the season strongly and maintain their position in a competitive league.
“Oli Marmol says the Cardinals will go closer by committee, acknowledged that while JoJo Romero is probably best built to close, the fact that he’s their lone lefty reliever complicates usage,” —Katie Woo, The Athletic