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Certainly appears Cardinals are not going to retain Helsley for big $$$ as they have reduced payroll. So if not, they have two options.
The first is trading Helsley at the trade deadline. Currently , that option gets the most attention .
The other option is keeping Helsley thru the end of 2025 season , allowing him to go to free agency , and receiving a compensation pick. At least at this point, that option has gotten minor attention .

On the surface, the compensation choice does not strike most fans as the better option . One must dig a bit deeper though. The compensation picks are tiered by the amount of $$ the signing player receives with his new team. (Spotrac project that Helsley contract would be $81 M range which would place the choice after Round 1 ) Example: Last year the Brewers knew they were not going to re-sign SS Willy Adames for his $$ would be way too high for their payroll. They could have traded him at the deadline or get the compensation pick. Knowing he would get in the highest comp pick bracket ($50 + M contract ), the Brewers took the pick . It was the 34th pick in the draft.

So one would expect the Cardinals could get a pick somewhere in that range too as Helsley signing will be in the top level tier too.
The Cardinals front office Mo /Bloom will weigh are the packages offered better or taking a high level pick the route to go .
Would guess Mo is going to listen closely to Bloom as it would be Bloom's ballclub for the future. He is building the team . Remember , the Cardinals Randy Flores in 2020 drafted Masyn Winn in the 2nd round with the 54th pick. Look at the player he is now.

There is no universe that exists where a comp pick would even come remotely close to what a bidding war could look like.

stormtime wrote: ↑21 May 2025 06:51 am There is no universe that exists where a comp pick would even come remotely close to what a bidding war could look like.

The bidding war sounds good . The Brewers had a similar situation with All Star closer Josh Hader a few years ago . They traded Hader in a 4 for 1 deal to the Padres . That trade did not materialize what a lot people thought. Ask Brewer fans today if they got such a haul for Hader . They remain ticked today . I have Brewer buddies in Wis. The bidding war didn't result in what they thought.

I don't see them retaining Helsley under any circumstances. They've already done the hard part-tanking attendance. They have to get one or two players or prospects a lot closer to the majors than a draft choice. JMO

If they're still in the race by the deadline, they're not trading Helsley.

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:07 am If they're still in the race by the deadline, they're not trading Helsley.

I agree .

ramfandan wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:16 am

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:07 am If they're still in the race by the deadline, they're not trading Helsley.

I agree .

I agree about RH, as well. But, what will you do with Nado, Mikolas, Fedde and Matz if they’re still in the race by the deadline? If they’re not leading the NLC, I would probably move them.

BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:25 am

ramfandan wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:16 am

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:07 am If they're still in the race by the deadline, they're not trading Helsley.

I agree .

I agree about RH, as well. But, what will you do with Nado, Mikolas, Fedde and Matz if they’re still in the race by the deadline? If they’re not leading the NLC, I would probably move them.

Nado is a special case compared to the others. He has to waive his NTC and it is up in the air if he would at the deadline. Guess depends on the team that wants him . Nado does like playing in St. Louis . As for the other guys , I would think Bloom would urge Mo to get some prospects for them .
There is nobody in that group you would put the QO tag on so they would leave with no compensation if you keep them til the end of the year. They would walk away for zilch like Goldy.

ramfandan wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:00 am

stormtime wrote: ↑21 May 2025 06:51 am There is no universe that exists where a comp pick would even come remotely close to what a bidding war could look like.

The bidding war sounds good . The Brewers had a similar situation with All Star closer Josh Hader a few years ago . They traded Hader in a 4 for 1 deal to the Padres . That trade did not materialize what a lot people thought. Ask Brewer fans today if they got such a haul for Hader . They remain ticked today . I have Brewer buddies in Wis. The bidding war didn't result in what they thought.

Milwaukee got Esteury Ruiz in the Hader trade, who was then pushed into the Atlanta/Oakland Sean Murphy trade to net William Contreras, the Brewers' best hitter(by OPS+) in '23 and '24. What the hell are they mad about?

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:07 am If they're still in the race by the deadline, they're not trading Helsley.

This would be beyond foolish. This team may not even be a playoff team. Certainly fair to question their chances of going deep into October even if they do make the post season. I'm sick and tired of "anything can happen" in this unfairly balanced game.

They need to maximize their young return of potential rather then get swept out of the first round.

Extend him.

The Phillies Alvarado situation could very well be the key to Helsley.
Not only is he out thr 80 games but I understand ineligible for postseason.
Phillies wanting WS shot could covet Helsley so much they woul overpay to get him.

That suspension gives big leverage to Cardinals.

They will trade Helsley. As stated above, they will get a better return, and the return will be near major league ready.

They will trade Helsley. As stated above, they will get a better return, and the return will be near major league ready.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑21 May 2025 08:07 am They will trade Helsley. As stated above, they will get a better return, and the return will be near major league ready.

Mick Abel ? Phillies

ramfandan wrote: ↑21 May 2025 07:00 am

stormtime wrote: ↑21 May 2025 06:51 am There is no universe that exists where a comp pick would even come remotely close to what a bidding war could look like.

The bidding war sounds good . The Brewers had a similar situation with All Star closer Josh Hader a few years ago . They traded Hader in a 4 for 1 deal to the Padres . That trade did not materialize what a lot people thought. Ask Brewer fans today if they got such a haul for Hader . They remain ticked today . I have Brewer buddies in Wis. The bidding war didn't result in what they thought.

Bingo

And at that time Hader was way more desirable than Helsley is today.

Fans who act like the Cardinals will get this awesome player(s) in return for Helsley (or Fedde or Matz or NADO) are dreaming.

It's nothing more than a lotto ticket prospect for those guys.