Ryan Helsley -- would you ?

[Ozziesfan41]

I get the sarcasm everyone is throwing out there, but the OP did say “at the right price”…assuming relatively cheap.

The players (and exec) you guys cite are pretty terrible, while RH was the best homegrown player we’ve produced in a decade. He’s at an age where he can still be part of the future and serve as a good mentor to the young BP kids too.

Bringing back a solid and accomplished player with a ton of high leverage experience isn’t exactly rewinding the clock to an era of bad personnel.

It would be terrible use of resources he will get at least 5 million and with Dewitt keeping the purse strings tight they need to spend what they do better than gambling on a closer they don’t need. It needs to be spent on starting pitching and maybe two or three maton type signings instead of one helsley signing.

What if he would come back for something close to Maton money? I think he was one of the rare players that wanted to be a Cardinal for life. He doesn’t have to be anointed closer either, unless performance dictates. That should actually be part of the agreement.

He just turned 31 a few months ago and though he had a down year, if you look at his track record, he’s had some pretty great seasons other than just 2024 and has been less volatile than most other relievers.

I get the perspective from those who don’t want him back, but at the right price, it wouldn’t some absurd move like bringing back Fedde or Mikolas.

There’s zero chance he is signed for Maton money. He will get 5+ million easily and that’s not worth the gamble when the cards did just fine without him as the closer and need to sign starting pitching and other holes. I guess if it was just 1 or 2 million but zero chance that happens. If they’re gambling on players it should be on starters like Beuhler or others that are coming off injuries who the team actually needs

[JuanAgosto]

I would explore a Maton reunion.

[Quincy Varnish]

I get the sarcasm everyone is throwing out there, but the OP did say “at the right price”…assuming relatively cheap.

The players (and exec) you guys cite are pretty terrible, while RH was the best homegrown player we’ve produced in a decade. He’s at an age where he can still be part of the future and serve as a good mentor to the young BP kids too.

Bringing back a solid and accomplished player with a ton of high leverage experience isn’t exactly rewinding the clock to an era of bad personnel.

Agreed, but signing a closer to a rebuilding team is basically pointless.

[Stlcardsblues]

I think his valve took a nose dive after he bombed in New York. If the price was right would you take a chance to resign him this winter.

The Cardinals front office needs to be honest with itself about where they stand. If Helsley has a market stay out of it.

If Helsley’s market doesn’t develop and he is willing to take a one year prove it deal to cash in on a larger deal next offseason, they should be all over it. This team is going to need to cover innings both in the rotation and bullpen. They do not have enough ready in the minors to fill those innings. Buy low bound back candidates give you innings coverage as well as trade chips at the deadline.

I would look at Matz, Maton and Helsley if I can get them on low dollar one year or two year deals where I can flip them at this deadline.

I would avoid Mikolas and Fedde as they won’t bounce back or be tradable.

[Rosie's Rule]

It’s a fair question with an equally fair question as the answer- if the Cards are trying to rebuild with Riley O’Brien and Svanson in the closer and set up roles why bring Maton or Helsley back at any price?

[icon]

It’s a fair question with an equally fair question as the answer- if the Cards are trying to rebuild with Riley O’Brien and Svanson in the closer and set up roles why bring Maton or Helsley back at any price?

Yeah, neither one of those guys fits into a rebuild. Would make no sense.

[Chitownredbird]

No. If they’re going to spend money in FA, (they won’t), it should be on RH hitting power OF or SP.

[HighHeet]

I think his valve took a nose dive after he bombed in New York. If the price was right would you take a chance to resign him this winter.

No

Agree, absolutely not

[Jatalk]

Under the assumption the price is right, yes I would. I know he was not as good in NY but even this year with the cards he was good enough. The question would be what role. Ideally he could shift from closer to set up to high leverage situations at any point. With just a tweak or two our bull pen could be very good. He could be a valuable piece. Again at the right price.

The right price? I think we will be surprised with what he gets in open market. I don’t really expect him to be at right price for Cards.

[icon]

Under the assumption the price is right, yes I would. I know he was not as good in NY but even this year with the cards he was good enough. The question would be what role. Ideally he could shift from closer to set up to high leverage situations at any point. With just a tweak or two our bull pen could be very good. He could be a valuable piece. Again at the right price.

The right price? I think we will be surprised with what he gets in open market. I don’t really expect him to be at right price for Cards.

I think you'll be shocked at how little he gets. If he couldn't even get innings in the terrible Mets bullpen after he flopped, I don't know how he's going to fit anywhere else. He's a guy who needs another pitch. Like a splitter or an off-speed pitch. That slider is totally unreliable. He can't spot it consistently, and often it doesn't break very much. And his fastball doesn't have enough movement and was getting rocked.

[Bomber1]

No.

[Bomber1]

I think his valve took a nose dive after he bombed in New York. If the price was right would you take a chance to resign him this winter.

For the right price…absolutely. He might’ve played himself out of long-term/elite closer money, but I doubt he tanked his value too awfully bad.

I’ll take Matz and Maton back too. The remnant bullpen they left behind got some good experience with a few guys really stepping up. Replace the ones who didn’t with the big three from last year and we’ve got maybe a top 5 bullpen.

Do you realize the Cardinals paid Matz $ 40 million over 3 1/2 years and he either sucked or was hurt for 2 1/2 of those years?
Maton maybe - Matz is a hard no.

No to Helsley too.

Luckily bloom won’t be signing either of those 2.

[rockondlouie]

NO

Don't waste whatever payroll dollars BDWJr give C. Bloom on Helsey.

Too many other needs.

[Goldfan]

Going forward please leave the weak minded and low talent types off the team
Great start to fixing this mess

[CorneliusWolfe]

I think his valve took a nose dive after he bombed in New York. If the price was right would you take a chance to resign him this winter.

For the right price…absolutely. He might’ve played himself out of long-term/elite closer money, but I doubt he tanked his value too awfully bad.

I’ll take Matz and Maton back too. The remnant bullpen they left behind got some good experience with a few guys really stepping up. Replace the ones who didn’t with the big three from last year and we’ve got maybe a top 5 bullpen.

Do you realize the Cardinals paid Matz $ 40 million over 3 1/2 years and he either sucked or was hurt for 2 1/2 of those years?
Maton maybe - Matz is a hard no.

No to Helsley too.

Luckily bloom won’t be signing either of those 2.

When I said I’d have Matz back too, I meant as a reliever only, and the reduced salary that comes with it. He’s never been able to hold up as a starter.

[CorneliusWolfe]

Going forward please leave the weak minded and low talent types off the team
Great start to fixing this mess

At least you cite the mental aspect of his game as to why you wouldn’t want him back.

Everyone else seems hung up on the money when the OP clearly stated “at the right price” due to an assumed tanked value.