{"id":87654,"date":"2024-10-15T00:10:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T04:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=87654"},"modified":"2024-10-15T02:24:23","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T06:24:23","slug":"closer-ryan-helsley-cardinals-best-trade-asset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/10\/15\/closer-ryan-helsley-cardinals-best-trade-asset\/","title":{"rendered":"Record Setter is the Cardinals’ Best Trade Asset This Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be heading for a rebuild<\/a>, and if the team is going to trade away veteran players this offseason, record-setting closer Ryan Helsley<\/a> is their most attractive trade piece.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the Cardinals Would Trade Ryan Helsley<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Among the many changes<\/a> the organization is going through, one is focusing on player development<\/a>. Helsley<\/a> is a beacon of player development success for the Cardinals. However, he is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cardinals got a bargain from Helsley in 2024. The closer ended up leading the league in saves with 49, and made $3.8 million for it. That salary is projected to jump up to around $8 million in 2025 unless the two sides agree on a longer-term deal. However, such a deal would likely make that annual salary go even higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of the Cardinals’ refocus on player development, their payroll is expected to go down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would anticipate seeing payroll go down because of these investments,\u201d said Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak at the end-of-season press conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019ve already reportedly decided to part ways<\/a> with their most expensive player, Paul Goldschmidt<\/a>. While they may explore trade options for other veterans signed for a longer term, a pay bump for Helsley may not fit in either way with what the organization is trying to do<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An extension could mean somewhere close to Josh Hader<\/a> numbers. The veteran closer signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros last offseason. If the Cardinals aren\u2019t willing to pay that this year or next, trading him now to a contender could fit their new plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Cardinals Would Look For in Return<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Cardinals are focused on the long term. Any trade they make this offseason will be looking to bolster their farm system.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur baseball decisions going forward will focus on developing our pipeline of players, giving our young core every opportunity to succeed at the major league level,\u201d said Cardinals team owner Bill Dewitt Jr. at the aforementioned press conference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the team to deal the 30-year-old closer, they will want a haul of prospects in return. At the trade deadline this season, the Los Angeles Angels sent Carlos Est\u00e9vez<\/a> to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Angels got two pitching prospects: George Klassen<\/a> and Sam Aldegheri<\/a>. While neither of those pitchers is on the MLB Top 100 Prospects list, they are now No. 3 and No. 8, respectively, in the Angels organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Est\u00e9vez finished the season with 26 saves in 31 opportunities and a 2.45 ERA. Helsley, on the other hand, had 49 saves in 53 opportunities and a 2.04 ERA. The two are close in age, with Est\u00e9vez being just one year older. For a full season of Helsley, who by the numbers is a better pitcher than Est\u00e9vez, the Cardinals would likely want another prospect or higher-ranked prospects than the return the Angels got.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What the Cardinals won\u2019t be concerned with is whether the return will help the major league squad in 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Cardinals don’t have the luxury of spending top-tier money on a relief pitcher. All signs point to Ryan Helsley testing free agency.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not worth risking a potential injury for someone who is already at a higher risk. Failing to trade him this offseason would be a mistake.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kareem (@KareemSSN) October 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n