2 months agoAccording to Jeff Jones of BND.com, the St. Louis Cardinals and right-handed pitcher
Ryan Helsley are not having contract conversations. Helsley said he was "almost certain" he was going to be traded during the winter due to a lack of contract discussions. The relief pitcher noted, "But you know, at the same time, it's a two-way street, and if only one side wants it, it's not going to work out." Throughout the offseason, the Cardinals have been shopping several top players, including third baseman
Nolan Arenado, in hopes to clear salary. In addition, starting pitchers
Erick Fedde and
Steven Matz have also been around trade discussions. Last season, the 30-year-old was one of the top closers in the sport, as he posted a 2.04 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 49 saves across 66 1/3 innings of work. For now, fantasy managers should expect Helsley to operate as the clear ninth-inning option in St. Louis but could find himself on the trade block if they fall out of the playoff picture.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Jones
2 months agoAccording to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the St. Louis Cardinals are no longer actively shopping closer
Ryan Helsley. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak said that, "It's something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have (Helsley) be part of our organization." While Helsley was drawing interest from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays earlier this offseason, it appears the Cardinals would prefer to hold onto their closer for the time being. However, if they fall out of the playoff race early on, they may entertain conversations closer to the trade deadline. Last season, the 30-year-old tallied a career-high 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Under the hood, he generated a stellar 29.7% K rate and 3.7% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should view Helsley as a high-end closer heading into the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Katie Woo
2 months agoAccording to Mark Feinsand, Bryan Hoch, and John Denton of MLB.com, St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher
Ryan Helsley is drawing interest from several clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The three insiders noted that the Cardinals are looking for a "reset" in 2025, and moving one of their top players could allow them to acquire a top prospect. Last season, the right-hander tallied the most saves in the major leagues (49) and pitched to the tune of a 2.04 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Across 66 1/3 innings, Helsley generated a stellar 2.72 xERA with a 36.1% whiff rate and 29.7% K rate. Helsley should be viewed as a top relief pitcher heading into the 2025 season, as he would be the go-to ninth-inning option wherever he calls home next summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 months agoThe St. Louis Cardinals are entering a rebuilding stage this offseason, but teams that have talked to the Cardinals have come away with the impression that they will not trade closer
Ryan Helsley. "It's something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have him be part of our organization," president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. Helsley is entering his age-30 season and is projected to earn $8.5 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility. His value is as high as it will probably ever be after he saved a league-high 49 games in 53 chances in 2024 on his way to winning the award for best closer in the National League. Helsley also had a strong 2.04 ERA in his 66 1/3 frames. The Cardinals are open to trading third baseman
Nolan Arenado, but they aren't expected to go for a full teardown. The Cardinals also aren't considering moving Helsley to their starting rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
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