Breaking News :St. Louis Cardinals ‘open minded’ to trading Ryan Helsley, but more likely to hold onto him.
### Breaking News: St. Louis Cardinals ‘Open-Minded’ to Trading Ryan Helsley, but Likely to Hold Onto Him
The St. Louis Cardinals have made waves in the MLB offseason with comments regarding their star reliever, Ryan Helsley. According to recent reports, the organization is *open-minded* about the possibility of trading the hard-throwing right-hander, but they remain more likely to retain him for the upcoming season.
Helsley, who has been a key contributor to the Cardinals’ bullpen in recent years, was one of the most dominant closers in the National League in 2023. The 29-year-old posted a 1.25 ERA over 56 appearances, with 94 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. His electric fastball, routinely hitting triple digits, and sharp slider made him one of the most feared relievers in the game.
While the Cardinals are exploring various roster moves as they look to bolster their squad for the 2024 season, Helsley’s name has emerged in trade rumors, particularly with teams in need of an elite late-inning arm. Sources within the organization indicate that while the Cardinals are willing to entertain offers for Helsley, they are not actively seeking to move him. The decision to explore a trade could largely hinge on the team’s broader offseason strategy, as they look to address areas of need, including starting pitching and offensive depth.
Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, has emphasized that while the front office is evaluating all potential moves, trading a key piece like Helsley would require the right deal. The organization values Helsley’s impact in the bullpen, and there are indications that the club is more likely to hold onto him, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the performance of some other relievers on the roster.
### The Case for Trading Helsley
Despite his immense value to the Cardinals, trading Helsley could make sense from a strategic perspective. The Cardinals have a solid bullpen, with other reliable arms such as Giovanny Gallegos and Jordan Hicks, both of whom can fill high-leverage roles. Additionally, the team has some intriguing younger options waiting for a larger role. Trading Helsley could provide the Cardinals with an opportunity to bolster other areas, such as their starting rotation, which underperformed in 2023.
The trade market for relievers is often ripe with demand, particularly for pitchers with Helsley’s pedigree. Teams looking to compete for a championship in 2024 may be willing to offer significant prospects or MLB-ready talent in exchange for a proven closer like Helsley, making him a valuable trade chip.
### The Case for Keeping Helsley
On the other hand, keeping Helsley could be the best course of action for the Cardinals. With a strong bullpen already in place and a potential rebound from their starting rotation, the Cardinals may prefer to maintain their depth in relief pitching. Helsley has emerged as a key figure in the late innings, and his ability to close out games gives the team a reliable weapon to lean on in high-pressure situations.
The Cardinals’ organizational depth in pitching also gives them the flexibility to hold onto a player like Helsley without jeopardizing their other needs. While a trade could be tempting, there’s a case to be made that moving him could disrupt a bullpen that was one of the team’s most consistent units in 2023.
### What’s Next for Helsley?
As of now, it appears the St. Louis Cardinals are leaning toward keeping Ryan Helsley, but the door remains open for a trade depending on the value they are offered. With a busy offseason ahead and a competitive National League Central division to contend with, the Cardinals will need to make calculated decisions in the coming months.
For now, fans will be watching closely as the team evaluates its roster and considers whether moving Helsley is the right call, or if the bullpen anchor will remain in St. Louis for the long haul.
