Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals
Could Ryan Helsley Be the Answer to the Phillies’ Closer Concerns?
As the 2025 MLB season begins to settle into rhythm, the Philadelphia Phillies have a growing question mark at the back end of their bullpen. Jordan Romano, brought in to stabilize the ninth inning, hasn’t exactly instilled confidence early on—and that’s putting it kindly.
Romano has stumbled out of the gate with a 10.50 ERA in his first seven outings, leaving fans and the front office alike wondering whether he can handle high-leverage duties. It’s possible he’s still shaking off rust or adjusting to a new environment, but for a team with legitimate World Series aspirations, uncertainty in the closer role can’t linger too long.
Fortunately for the Phillies, the trade market for bullpen arms is often robust, and this year could offer a particularly intriguing option: St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell floated the idea of the Phillies making a move for Helsley, a two-time All-Star who led all of baseball with 49 saves last season. The hard-throwing right-hander is in the final year of his contract and is unlikely to be re-signed by a St. Louis team seemingly heading into a retooling phase.
“If the Phillies aren’t comfortable with Romano as a high-leverage right-handed reliever,” Pressnell noted, “they could look to swing a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire flame-throwing closer Ryan Helsley.”
Helsley’s power arsenal remains intact—he’s struck out nine batters in six innings this season—but control issues have surfaced early, with five walks already on his ledger. Still, his track record and ability to miss bats make him a tantalizing option for a team like the Phillies, who can afford to buy at the deadline.
If Romano’s woes continue or internal alternatives fail to seize the job, don’t be surprised to see Philadelphia’s front office act decisively. Acquiring Helsley would not only shore up a volatile area of the roster, but it could also signal to the rest of the National League that the Phillies are all-in on chasing a championship this October.
After all, in a game of inches and tight postseason margins, having a shutdown closer can make all the difference.
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