Mozeliak – you got to let me know, will Helsley stay or will he go
The St. Louis Cardinals are walking a tightrope in 2025—close enough to dream about October, but not far from a potential fire sale. And at the heart of that balancing act is one big decision: What do they do with two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley?
Although this is nothing new. The trade rumors around Helsley have been swirling since the beginning of the year.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the answer might be to move on—regardless of where the team stands in the playoff race.
“It’s a simple yes if they sell,” Woo wrote. “It’s a much more perplexing situation if they don’t.”
In other words, if the Cardinals fall out of contention, trading Helsley is a no-brainer. But even if they’re still in the hunt, Woo argues they should move Helsley anyway—unless the front office is ready to extend him.
Why the Clock Is Ticking on Ryan Helsley
Helsley is in the final year of his contract and will hit free agency after the season. That puts the Cardinals in a classic deadline dilemma:
- Trade him now and get value in return.
- Extend him, securing bullpen stability long-term.
- Or do nothing—and risk losing him for nothing in the offseason.
That last scenario? An absolute nightmare. And Woo doesn’t see the Cardinals handing Helsley a long-term deal, which makes a trade look increasingly likely.
“Moving Helsley could define the season,” she wrote. “Not moving him could result in a major miss on a return.”
What’s Ryan Helsley Worth?
In 2025, Helsley has been solid if not spectacular—posting a 3.75 ERA with a 3-0 record, 13 saves, and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings. But it’s his dominant 2024 season that will have contenders lining up to ask about him.
Last year, Helsley was one of the best closers in baseball:
- 2.04 ERA over 66.1 innings
- MLB-best 49 saves
- 79 strikeouts
- 204 ERA+ (second-best of his career)
That kind of resume—plus playoff experience—makes Helsley a hot deadline target for contenders looking to lock down high-leverage innings in October.
Decision Time in St. Louis
So where does that leave the Cardinals?
If they trade Helsley, they’re likely to get a strong return. Although if they keep him without an extension, they risk losing a top-tier closer for nothing. But if they do extend him, it’ll be a shift in strategy not many expect.
Katie Woo’s prediction? Helsley gets moved, even if St. Louis is still fighting for a Wild Card spot.
It’s a complex call at a crucial moment, but one thing is clear: the Ryan Helsley decision could define the Cardinals’ 2025 season—and beyond.
