With Clase Suspended, Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley Becomes Most Valuable Reliever on the Trade Market
The St. Louis Cardinals were already positioned to capitalize on the league-wide demand for high-leverage relief arms (aka Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz) at the trade deadline. Breaking news out of Cleveland has only strengthened their hand with Emmanual Clase suspended for suspicion of sports betting.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing sports-betting investigation.
The same probe recently sidelined pitcher Luis Ortiz, who was being investigated for a pitch thrown to Cardinals catcher Pedro Pagés. Clase was widely seen as a potential difference-maker for bullpen-needy contenders — until today.
That development makes Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley arguably the top bullpen target remaining on the market.
Will Ryan Helsley be Traded to the Cleveland Guardians with Clase Suspended?
Helsley, who has drawn significant interest already, told reporters last week that he believes there’s a “90% chance” he gets traded before the deadline, even though he’d prefer to stay in St. Louis. With Clase now off the board and the availability of Twins’ relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax still uncertain, Helsley’s value could soar as front offices scramble to adjust.
The 30-year-old right-hander owns a 3.00 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate across 36 appearances this season — solid numbers, even if slightly down from his dominant peak from 2022 to 2024. In that stretch, he posted ERAs of 1.25, 2.45, and 2.04, respectively. Helsley’s slider has returned to elite form this year. Teams with strong pitching development programs may see an opportunity to help him sharpen his fastball command and return to All-Star form.
If Helsley is traded, who closes for the Cardinals?
Or with the Cardinals Leverage the Cleveland Need against another Team?
With the MLB trade deadline days away, contenders like the Phillies, Dodgers, Astros, Mariners, Blue Jays, and Cubs — all looking to shore up their late-inning options — may be forced into more aggressive offers. The Cardinals reportedly believe Helsley is a strong candidate for a qualifying offer this offseason. Which means any offer will need to exceed the value of a compensatory draft pick to get a deal done.
For St. Louis, a potential Helsley trade could be the most valuable chip they play. Thanks to the breaking news in Cleveland, that chip may have just increased in value overnight.
