The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be headed for a full-scale rebuild under the final year of leadership from president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Mozeliak will be turning the team over to Chaim Bloom after the 2025 season.
Part of this rebuild includes trading the key pieces that have helped the Cardinals stay afloat the last few seasons. Among those being discussed in early offseason trade rumors are Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Ryan Helsley.
Since Gray and Arenado have no-trade clauses in their contracts, their markets won’t be as hot as Helsley’s.
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The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently discussed Helsley’s upcoming trade market, even drawing a connection to two contending teams in the American League East.
“Ryan Helsley was arguably the best closer in the NL this year and his trade value will never be higher. The Cardinals are rebuilding and shopping their veterans and they’d be foolish not to see what they could get in return for the two-time All-Star,” Bowden wrote. “Once free-agent reliever Tanner Scott signs, Helsley’s market will shoot through the roof, with the (Baltimore) Orioles and (Boston) Red Sox being among the logical fits.”
Besides the two AL East teams already linked by Bowden, both the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees could use the services of Helsley.
The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners will also be solid potential fits.
All of this is basically to say that Helsley’s market will be incredibly hot and competitive this winter.
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