Last season, the St. Louis Cardinals aimed to win with their veteran roster, but after falling short of the postseason, they appear to be fully embracing a rebuild that has long been looming over the franchise. General Manager John Mozeliak and the front office have already allowed Paul Goldschmidt, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn to enter free agency, and they may continue to move more players this offseason, with closer Ryan Helsley being the most prominent name on the trade block.
Helsley was one of baseball’s most dominant closers in 2024, leading the league with 49 saves, despite the Cardinals missing the playoffs. A logical landing spot for Helsley could be the Philadelphia Phillies, who are poised to lose both Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman to free agency. While they might retain one of the two right-handers, keeping both seems unlikely. Here’s a trade proposal that could send Helsley to Philadelphia:
St. Louis Cardinals receive:
– RHP Mick Abel (No. 6 prospect)
– SS/2B Devin Saltiban (No. 9 prospect)
Philadelphia Phillies receive:
– RHP Ryan Helsley
– RHP Miles Mikolas
– Cash considerations (half of Mikolas’ remaining contract)
As the Cardinals look to rebuild, unloading the burdensome contract of Miles Mikolas would be a key move. The proposal would send Mikolas to the Phillies, with St. Louis covering half of his remaining salary. In return, the Phillies would receive Helsley as their new closer. It’s likely the Phillies would release Mikolas and pay off his contract in this trade. If they aren’t interested in Mikolas, the deal could be simplified by omitting him and adding another top-10 prospect for the Cardinals.
Mick Abel, once a top-100 prospect, had a rough 2024 season but still holds significant potential. With a strong spring training, he could earn a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation. Devin Saltiban, a 19-year-old infielder, is an exciting prospect with the potential to develop into a five-tool player. He already shows a well-rounded skill set and could be a key piece in the future.
The Phillies had a solid bullpen last season but lacked a star closer, and Helsley could be the missing piece to solidify their bullpen and help them challenge for the National League East title in 2025.
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