Ryan Helsley is emerging as one of the most sought-after players on the market, giving the Cardinals an opportunity for a lucrative bidding war.
According to sources, at least a half-dozen teams – the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Blue Jays and Rangers – are interested in Helsley, though the list is likely longer than that.
An All-Star in 2022 and 2024, Helsley won last year’s Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top relief pitcher after going 49-for-53 in save opportunities with a 2.04 ERA in 65 appearances. The 31-year-old hasn’t been as effective this season, successfully converting 21 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA in 36 games, but his Statcast page offers some clues as to why contenders are so enamored with him.
Ryan Helsley's 102 mph strikeout
Jul 25, 2025 · 0:07
Ryan Helsley's 102 mph strikeout
Helsley ranks in the top 25 percent of the league in the following categories:
Fastball velocity (99.3 mph/99th percentile)
Chase percentage (34.3%/94th percentile)
Whiff percentage (30.8%/86th percentile)
Strikeout percentage (26.1%/77th percentile)
Helsley’s strikeout percentage has dropped in each of the past three seasons, but his slider remains one of the most effective pitches in the game; opponents are hitting only .092 against it with a .154 slugging percentage.
What are you envsioning as a return for Helsley ? Not so much players names but position types Also , will there be a young major leaguer in the return or all prospects ?
Remember too that Helsley is open to returning to the Cardinals after the season
“I wouldn’t want to be a sourpuss about it,” Helsley told the Post-Dispatch. “Obviously, I want to stay here my whole career. But I think they have the perfect opportunity that they want to do now in the season, which is shed some payroll and get some guys out of here and see what the young guys can do in this last 60-or-so-game stretch.
“I would be, for sure, open to (signing) back.”
Two or three months away from the Cardinals after a trade, he agreed, would be a detour but not a detriment to his wish to be a long-term Cardinal.
Brought back memories for me to 2006 when NYY traded reliever Aroldis Chapman to Cubs for their stretch WS run and then NNY resigned him in the offseason. Not a slam dunk that Helsley returns but based on his statement ,he sure is open to return. Part of the business of baseball.
What makes Helsley so valuable
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Re: What makes Helsley so valuable
At the least someone's top five arm in their AAA system and maybe a lottery ticket OF to boot. With 5 or more teams pursuing him, I think that's doable.ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 06:09 am Ryan Helsley is emerging as one of the most sought-after players on the market, giving the Cardinals an opportunity for a lucrative bidding war.
According to sources, at least a half-dozen teams – the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Blue Jays and Rangers – are interested in Helsley, though the list is likely longer than that.
An All-Star in 2022 and 2024, Helsley won last year’s Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League’s top relief pitcher after going 49-for-53 in save opportunities with a 2.04 ERA in 65 appearances. The 31-year-old hasn’t been as effective this season, successfully converting 21 of 26 save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA in 36 games, but his Statcast page offers some clues as to why contenders are so enamored with him.
Ryan Helsley's 102 mph strikeout
Jul 25, 2025 · 0:07
Ryan Helsley's 102 mph strikeout
Helsley ranks in the top 25 percent of the league in the following categories:
Fastball velocity (99.3 mph/99th percentile)
Chase percentage (34.3%/94th percentile)
Whiff percentage (30.8%/86th percentile)
Strikeout percentage (26.1%/77th percentile)
Helsley’s strikeout percentage has dropped in each of the past three seasons, but his slider remains one of the most effective pitches in the game; opponents are hitting only .092 against it with a .154 slugging percentage.
What are you envsioning as a return for Helsley ? Not so much players names but position types Also , will there be a young major leaguer in the return or all prospects ?
Remember too that Helsley is open to returning to the Cardinals after the season
“I wouldn’t want to be a sourpuss about it,” Helsley told the Post-Dispatch. “Obviously, I want to stay here my whole career. But I think they have the perfect opportunity that they want to do now in the season, which is shed some payroll and get some guys out of here and see what the young guys can do in this last 60-or-so-game stretch.
“I would be, for sure, open to (signing) back.”
Two or three months away from the Cardinals after a trade, he agreed, would be a detour but not a detriment to his wish to be a long-term Cardinal.
Brought back memories for me to 2006 when NYY traded reliever Aroldis Chapman to Cubs for their stretch WS run and then NNY resigned him in the offseason. Not a slam dunk that Helsley returns but based on his statement ,he sure is open to return. Part of the business of baseball.