helsley

[govman]

what's wrong with Helsley?? 1 hit, 2 BB, WP. He's been shakey this year so far, so can we still depnd on him going forward?

[cardstatman]

1.64 WHIP due to 10 walks and 1 HBP in 10 14 innings. Also, "only" 14 strikeouts in 14 innings which is below his own normal.

All baseball players get hot and cold, including relievers.

Hopefully, he masters his control problems and becomes dominant again for a long stretch this year.

Also hoping the Cardinals are not the team that gives him a long term contract for age 31+. I'd love if he stayed on a shorter term contract though. I'm not a fan of paying one reliever a lot of money for an average of 1 to 2 outs per game and taking on the risk that they aren't even any good anymore.

[greyhawk]

unless hurt -- helsley will be fine and will warm up with the weather, he is the least of this team's worries for now. He hasn't pitched very much this season which is both good and a bit bad.

[3dender]

Almost like they shoulda traded him over the winter. If only anyone had suggested it

And it's not like this decline came out of nowhere, his K-rate dropped significantly last year despite him still having solid results. There were warning signs.

[blackinkbiz]

what's wrong with Helsley?? 1 hit, 2 BB, WP. He's been shakey this year so far, so can we still depnd on him going forward?

Cards were in so many 1-run games last season, Helsley was used quite often. As another poster mentioned in GDT, he seems to have sweet spots of usage when he's on his game. For once, however, Oli's being smart and saving his BP arms as much as possible for what is hopefully a postseason push to win the NLC.

Last 2 seasons he would have never allowed his starters to consecutively throw 9 and 7+ innings on back to back days. Long story short, BP arms are often erratic if not used regularly and frequently.

They also are rarely as good from one year to the next. And if he's hurt at all, this is all a moot point.

[greyhawk]

what's wrong with Helsley?? 1 hit, 2 BB, WP. He's been shakey this year so far, so can we still depnd on him going forward?

Cards were in so many 1-run games last season, Helsley was used quite often. As another poster mentioned in GDT, he seems to have sweet spots of usage when he's on his game. For once, however, Oli's being smart and saving his BP arms as much as possible for what is hopefully a postseason push to win the NLC.

Last 2 seasons he would have never allowed his starters to consecutively throw 9 and 7+ innings on back to back days. Long story short, BP arms are often erratic if not used regularly and frequently.

They also are rarely as good from one year to the next. And if he's hurt at all, this is all a moot point.

well said -- but as long as his velocity is hitting 102 or whatever it was today he can be straightened out and be very effective.

[riff raff]

Almost like they shoulda traded him over the winter. If only anyone had suggested it

And it's not like this decline came out of nowhere, his K-rate dropped significantly last year despite him still having solid results. There were warning signs.

I'll take that bet

[Sheepdawg]

Let's see what the pitchers look like once it warms up.

[LCA1951]

I he going to get traded? Who is he going to today. Redundancy such as this works on many minds and some handle it better than others. Additionally, he is out of practice. He has indeed spent much time simply sitting around. Nothing is wrong with his velocity which convinces me that there is nothing wrong with his arm. Not wishing for close games every night, but be smarter next time by giving him more chances whether save situation or not.

[Carp4Cy]

Almost like they shoulda traded him over the winter. If only anyone had suggested it

And it's not like this decline came out of nowhere, his K-rate dropped significantly last year despite him still having solid results. There were warning signs.

Equal value was never offered.

Expectations were his performance would regress. He's regressed, so his trade value hasn't even changed.

Still, we are winning games and we need a closer, such as he will be...

[RamFan08NY]

He's just like every other good closer to vome along. They all play with fire and cause us anxiety at the end of games.

[rockondlouie]

Rusty from limited usage?

Mental issue thinking about impending free agency?

Problem's away from the field?

Who knows when it comes to the volatility that is RP's.

[scoutyjones2]

Rusty from limited usage?

Mental issue thinking about impending free agency?

Problem's away from the field?

Who knows when it comes to the volatility that is RP's.

Exactly. Very few ever are consistent...those are the elite.

[rockondlouie]

Rusty from limited usage?

Mental issue thinking about impending free agency?

Problem's away from the field?

Who knows when it comes to the volatility that is RP's.

Exactly. Very few ever are consistent...those are the elite.

And why you never give them huge AAV's on a LT deal unless they are the elite of the elite.

I just read the other day E. Clase (5.51 ERA) was in danger of losing his closer role after saving 133 games the previous three seasons on the heels of D. Williams (9.24 ERA) losing his after posting a 1.66 ERA from 2022-2024.