The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a tough decision this offseason as they explore the possibility of trading their All-Star closer, Ryan Helsley. The 29-year-old has been a fixture in the bullpen since his debut with the team in 2017, and his 2024 season was nothing short of historic. But as the Cardinals embark on a retooling process and Helsley enters his final year of arbitration, the organization must weigh the value of keeping one of the best closers in baseball against the reality of their non-contending status.
Helsley’s Historic 2024 Season
Ryan Helsley set a new bar for relievers in Cardinals history during the 2024 season. He posted a stellar 2.04 ERA over 66 1/3 innings and led the league with a record-setting 49 saves—the most in Cardinals franchise history. While Helsley was initially named to the All-Star team, he withdrew due to injury concerns, with Washington Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan replacing him on the roster. Despite the missed All-Star nod, Helsley’s dominance was undeniable, and he proved himself as one of the top closers in all of Major League Baseball.
However, with the Cardinals entering a phase of retooling and looking to revamp their roster, Helsley’s future in St. Louis is in question.
A Cardinals Legacy, but a Team in Transition
Helsley, who was drafted by the Cardinals in 2015 and has spent his entire career with the team, is a local product. Born in Oklahoma, just a short distance from St. Louis, his roots with the organization run deep. But despite his loyalty and admiration for the team, Helsley knows that business decisions in baseball can sometimes lead to difficult changes.
According to John Denton of MLB.com, Helsley’s “ideal outcome” is to remain with the Cardinals, but he’s bracing for the possibility of a trade. The MLB Winter Meetings, which take place from December 9-12, often set the stage for significant moves, and Helsley could be one of the major names on the move this offseason.
“If I get traded, I hope it’s to a team that I can help win,” Helsley said. “But that would be an emotional day because I grew up rooting for the Cardinals, got drafted by them in 2015 and I’ve spent 10 years with them. But, at the end of the day, I’ve got to be professional and move on if it comes to that.”
The Cardinals’ Dilemma: Keep or Trade?
The Cardinals are at a crossroads. While they have the potential to contend in the future, they are currently in a retooling phase, focusing on payroll flexibility and acquiring younger talent. Helsley, as one of the most dominant closers in the game, will likely see a significant raise in his last year of arbitration in 2025. That raise could make him an expensive option for a non-contending team, and with his free agency looming after the 2025 season, the Cardinals may not want to pay top dollar for a reliever on a team that’s not in playoff contention.
Helsley’s value on the trade market is undeniable. As a top-tier closer with one of the best strikeout rates in the league, he would be a major asset to any contender. Teams like the New York Yankees or the Toronto Blue Jays, both of which are in need of a bonafide closer, would be prime candidates to pursue a trade for Helsley. These teams would likely offer significant compensation in return, potentially bolstering the Cardinals’ farm system and accelerating their retooling process.
What Does the Future Hold?
If Helsley is traded, his departure would mark the end of an era for the Cardinals. Not only would they be losing one of the most dominant closers in baseball, but they would be parting ways with a player who embodies the heart and soul of the team. Still, the business side of baseball is often about making tough decisions, and trading Helsley could provide the Cardinals with valuable assets that could help build a stronger future.
The timeline for the Cardinals’ contention window will be a major factor in the decision. If they believe they are a few years away from truly competing, trading Helsley could be the right call. However, if they feel they can make a run sooner rather than later, holding onto Helsley for one more year might be worth the price.
As the Winter Meetings approach and trade rumors begin to swirl, the fate of Ryan Helsley remains uncertain. Whether he stays in St. Louis or moves on to a new team, one thing is clear: His impact on the Cardinals will be remembered for years to come, and his future will be a key storyline in the coming weeks. The question now is whether that future will be with the team he grew up rooting for, or with a new franchise chasing a championship.
