Hels has lost it

[riff raff]

Since April 9, the Cardinals are 17-2 in games he has appeared. Last night being the second loss. Also 12 saves in that stretch. He’s gotta little Izzy in him.

Hey now, don't get in the way of a good dog whistle hater thread

[Melville]

Helsley is throwing his slider 45.4% of the time this year.
He is throwing his FB 46.8% of the time.
That's a problem.
From 2021-2023 he was using the FB over 55%, and the slider at 34%
That is what he needs to get back to.
Further, in the past he used the curve around 9% and that has dropped to 5%.
Also a problem.
When a reliever becomes a 2-pitch pitcher and dramatically reduces the usage of his best pitch, he is doing the hitters a huge favor - and they have observed and are taking advantage.
Bad combination.
Easy to understand.
Easy to fix.

[kyace]

Cards didn’t trade Helsley or Fedde this off-season as they never listened for offers on them. From what I read numerous GM’s expressed frustrations over that and were surprised. However Mo made his priorities clear that Arenado was his primary focus.

[JaseMan]

I will be the first to admit bullpen pitchers are tricky. Look at Ryan Fernendez in AAA right now. He was expected to be a key member this year.

I think the issue with Hels is his usage. He pitches 6 innings in May and now 3 here in June. He needs to pitch more. Bringing him out only in a save situation is not going to get him back into his top form. He should be throwing the ball every other day at least. This is on Oli

[blackinkbiz]

Cards didn’t trade Helsley or Fedde this off-season as they never listened for offers on them. From what I read numerous GM’s expressed frustrations over that and were surprised. However Mo made his priorities clear that Arenado was his primary focus.

Not only that, there's reports of multiple GMs (one I heard being interviewed on 101ESPN) that are scrambling because the Cards are in contention this season. Several of them were planning on making deals for Fedde, Helsley, etc at the TDL as a fix for their own internal issues.

It's interesting and amusing at the same time.

[scoutyjones2]

Should have been traded in the offseason at peak value easy obvious correct

What was the offer they should have taken?

Don’t be obtuse, you know there were trades to be made if they tried.

No I don't and neither do you or you would state some.

Again, you’re being obtuse, ignoring the fact the we as fans do not know what was offered. Why ask for something you know someone can’t provide?

Because you make an unsubstantiated claim that implies trading is like going to a grocery store...I see it, I get it.

What top closer from last year was traded and what was the haul?

Ok then provide a link that says that no offers were made or considered for Helsley. I can also be obtuse like you and ASSume that if I didn’t hear about it that it must not have happened…

I didn't make the claim about moving him. LoL. I am fine keeping him or not, until the trave deadline

[Ozziesfan41]

Helsleys main problem is he has trouble with the first batter and when they dont first pitch swing. First batter he faces are hitting .409 with a .458 OPS .867 OPS against him thats brutal for a closer who often only has a one run lead to work with. If pitchers swing on the first pitch they are hitting .242 with a .278 OBP and .641 OPS if they take the first pitch they are batting .283 .389 .806 OPS

[todd-parker]

Helsley has 13 saves of his 18 opportunities. Only 4 N.L closers have more saves.
Of the closers in baseball available , he still will have suitors at the deadline.

Of those 13 saves, how many times did he let the tying/winning run get on base before getting the final out?

[riff raff]

Helsley has 13 saves of his 18 opportunities. Only 4 N.L closers have more saves.
Of the closers in baseball available , he still will have suitors at the deadline.

Of those 13 saves, how many times did he let the tying/winning run get on base before getting the final out?

Who cares?

[hugeCardfan]

Helsley is throwing his slider 45.4% of the time this year.
He is throwing his FB 46.8% of the time.
That's a problem.
From 2021-2023 he was using the FB over 55%, and the slider at 34%
That is what he needs to get back to.
Further, in the past he used the curve around 9% and that has dropped to 5%.
Also a problem.
When a reliever becomes a 2-pitch pitcher and dramatically reduces the usage of his best pitch, he is doing the hitters a huge favor - and they have observed and are taking advantage.
Bad combination.
Easy to understand.
Easy to fix.

Pretty sure that the HR was on a 98 mph fastball.

[govman]

Since April 9, the Cardinals are 17-2 in games he has appeared. Last night being the second loss. Also 12 saves in that stretch. He’s gotta little Izzy in him.

so giving up 2 runsand still getting save is good?

[Ozziesfan41]

Helsley has 13 saves of his 18 opportunities. Only 4 N.L closers have more saves.
Of the closers in baseball available , he still will have suitors at the deadline.

He is also tied for the national league lead in blown saves he may have suitors but they wont be offering much for him

[Melville]

Helsley is throwing his slider 45.4% of the time this year.
He is throwing his FB 46.8% of the time.
That's a problem.
From 2021-2023 he was using the FB over 55%, and the slider at 34%
That is what he needs to get back to.
Further, in the past he used the curve around 9% and that has dropped to 5%.
Also a problem.
When a reliever becomes a 2-pitch pitcher and dramatically reduces the usage of his best pitch, he is doing the hitters a huge favor - and they have observed and are taking advantage.
Bad combination.
Easy to understand.
Easy to fix.

Pretty sure that the HR was on a 98 mph fastball.

Easier to sit on that when the pitcher has reduced his arsenal to just 2 pitches and then primarily uses the FB for a "get one over the plate" pitch.
Helsley over relies on the slider as an "ahead in the count pitch" and it has made him far more predictable.

[CNYFan]

The Cards are lucky that they won two of his blown saves in the last 10 days.
The Blown Save was bound to catch up to Helsley and the Cards

[imetsatchelpaige]

Helsley has 13 saves of his 18 opportunities. Only 4 N.L closers have more saves.
Of the closers in baseball available , he still will have suitors at the deadline.

He is also tied for the national league lead in blown saves he may have suitors but they wont be offering much for him

I think you are dead wrong. He still has great value.

My suggestion?
Package Helsley and Noot for real lead-off hitter.
There are at least two playoff teams who need a left fielder and a closer.
Name them.

[Ozziesfan41]

Helsley has 13 saves of his 18 opportunities. Only 4 N.L closers have more saves.
Of the closers in baseball available , he still will have suitors at the deadline.

He is also tied for the national league lead in blown saves he may have suitors but they wont be offering much for him

I think you are dead wrong. He still has great value.

My suggestion?
Package Helsley and Noot for real lead-off hitter.
There are at least two playoff teams who need a left fielder and a closer.
Name them.

Why would he have great value? He has a 3.75 ERA 5 blown saves including 2 or 3 in a row he’s a free agent at the end of the season and the acquiring team couldn’t offer him a QO and they would have to hope and pray he could get better. No way a team gives up a lot of value for that