The Cardinals Offload Helsley and Reload with Prospects
With the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Mets pulled off one of the most talked-about moves of the summer. They’ve acquired All-Star closer Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals, sending a package of prospects back the other way — including the Mets’ No. 7 prospect Jesus Baez.
Yes, this is real. Yes, the Mets bullpen just became a force of nature.
Let’s break this down — because there’s a lot to unpack.
Ryan Helsley Joins Edwin Díaz in a Scary Good Mets Bullpen
Now this is a one-two punch you don’t want to see in the ninth inning.
The Mets aren’t just adding depth with Helsley — they’re adding dominance. The 31-year-old right-hander owns a 3.00 ERA, 21 saves, and 41 strikeouts in 36 appearances this season. And remember: this is the same guy who racked up a league-leading 49 saves in 2024, setting a St. Louis Cardinals franchise record along the way.
Pair him with Edwin Díaz — who’s rocking a 1.48 ERA and 23 saves — and you’ve got a nightmare for opposing lineups. The Mets bullpen was already solid (3.80 ERA, 11th-best in MLB). With Helsley? It just got elite.
St. Louis Cardinals Rebuild Begins with Baez, Dohm, and Elissalt
This move isn’t just about the Mets going all-in — it’s about the Cardinals playing for the future. With Chaim Bloom set to take over baseball operations after John Mozeliak’s departure, St. Louis is shifting gears.
The return haul? Not too shabby.
- Jesus Baez is the headliner — a highly-touted 19-year-old infielder with big tools and bigger upside. He’s currently in Single-A and ranked as the Mets’ No. 7 overall prospect.
- Nate Dohm, a 2024 draft pick and the Mets’ No. 14 prospect, is a right-handed pitcher with electric stuff.
- Frank Elissalt adds another young arm to the mix, giving St. Louis more lottery tickets for the next few years.
Let’s be honest — Helsley was heading into free agency (which made this a done deal a long time ago), and with uncertainty around the Cardinals’ spending plans, flipping him for three young talents makes sense. If this is the start of a Cardinals reshaping, it’s a solid first swing.
But who closes for the Cardinals now that Helsley is with the Mets?
Helsley Still Loves St. Louis — But the Timing Was Right
Even as he packs his bags for Queens, Ryan Helsley isn’t shutting the door on a future with the Cardinals. In an interview with St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Derrick Goold, he got candid:
“I’ve gotten close with a lot of these young guys, and I just feel like the tradition is here. It’s A to Z, top to bottom — all of the things that are involved with being a St. Louis Cardinal is appealing.”
This isn’t just lip service. Helsley grew up in Oklahoma. He’s been with the Cardinals since day one. He’s pitched in October, worn the Birds on the Bat, and racked up accolades doing it. Even if he finishes this year in New York, don’t rule out a reunion in the offseason — but only if the price is right.
Final Word: Mets Add Ryan Helsley, Cardinals Reload
The Mets just made their bullpen terrifying. The Cardinals just stocked their farm system. It’s a win-now move for New York, and a look-toward-the-future pivot for St. Louis.
Both teams got what they needed — and maybe, just maybe — this is the first domino of a wild deadline week.
