MLB Insider Identifies 'Straight-Up' Cardinals Trade to Extract Value for $81 Million Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The St. Louis Cardinals will likely look to trade their expiring contracts before the trade deadline this season.
The clear top name they could offer is closer Ryan Helsley. Helsley's deal ends at the end of the season, and Spotrac projects him to sign for $81 million in free agency. At that number, it's unlikely the Cardinals will re-sign him, so trading him would be the best option left.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden recently suggested the Cardinals would trade Helsley to the Philadelphia Phillies in a huge deal.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 4: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the ninth inning during game one of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium...
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 4: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the ninth inning during game one of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on May 4, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. MoreHere's the full trade suggested by Bowden:
Philadelphia Phillies receive: RHP Ryan Helsley
St. Louis Cardinals receive: RHP Mick Abel
"Helsley, an impending free-agent, is not expected to re-sign with the Cardinals, who should deal him between now and the trade deadline," Bowden wrote. "Dombrowski and Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak are two of the longest-tenured front office executives and have had a strong relationship for decades. So, how about a trade of Helsley for Abel straight up?"
This seems like a fair deal, but the market was so hot on relievers last season that the Phillies may have to give up more to land the star closer.
Helsley would fill a massive hole in the closer role for a very talented Phillies team. Philadelphia needs to put together a complete roster if it wants to compete with the New York Mets in the National League East.
The Cardinals have no reason to hold onto Helsley. If Mick Abel is the best they can get for him, it's a deal they should take. Abel has shown a lot of promise this season.
In reality, the Phillies would likely need to give up one more top-30 prospect to steal Helsley from St. Louis.
More MLB: Red Sox Slugger Reportedly Declining Interviews Over First Base Decision
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Peterson pitches 1st complete game as Mets get 2 homers from Nimmo and 1 from Soto to beat Nats 5-0
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor turns toward second base for a double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Washington Nationals' Jake Irvin pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo follows through on a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) follows through on a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' David Peterson pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' David Peterson pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Francisco Lindor turns toward second base for a double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Washington Nationals' Jake Irvin pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo follows through on a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) follows through on a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Mets' David Peterson pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NEW YORK (AP) — David Peterson pitched a six-hitter for the first nine-inning complete game of his professional career, and the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 5-0 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win. Brandon Nimmo homered twice and Juan Soto went deep against his former team for the second consecutive night. Pete Alonso put the Mets ahead in the first inning with his major league-high 63rd RBI, his 20th in the past 10 games. Advertisement NL East-leading New York moved a season-best 20 games over .500 at 44-24. Peterson (5-2) won his third decision in a row, striking out six and walking none in a game that took just 2 hours, 16 minutes. He threw 106 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.49. Mets center fielder Tyrone Taylor threw out Luis García Jr. trying to score from second in the eighth on Jacob Young's sharp single. Peterson's only prior professional complete game was a four-hitter in a rain-shorted, five-inning loss to Atlanta on April 28, 2023. His previous nine-inning complete game came in college, a four-hit shutout for Oregon against Arizona State on April 28, 2017. Advertisement New York's previous complete game was a four-hit shutout by Luis Severino against Miami last Aug. 17. Peterson pitched the seventh shutout and 14th complete game in the major leagues this season. Washington has lost four straight and seven of nine. Soto, who played for the Nationals from 2018 until he was traded to San Diego in August 2022, followed Francisco Lindor's double off Jake Irvin (5-3) with his 13th homer, a two-run drive on a hanging curve in the third. Nimmo homered in the fifth off Irvin and in the seventh against Jackson Rutledge for his eighth career multihomer game. Irvin allowed four runs, five hits and three walks in five innings. He has a 10.29 ERA in the first inning this year and has given up 13 homers in 13 starts. Advertisement Key moment Soto's drive over the right-field fence was caught on the fly by a young fan wearing a baseball glove. Key stat Alonso tied for the most RBIs by a Mets player in a 10-game span during a single season. He matched Mike Piazza (1999 and 2000), Yoenis Céspedes (2016) and Lindor (2022). Up next Mets RHP Kodai Senga (6-3, 1.59), the NL ERA leader, and Nationals RHP Michael Soroka (3-3, 4.86) start Thursday afternoon's series finale. ___ AP MLB:
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Contract details for rookie DL Walter Nolen III and what people are saying about him
Contract details for rookie DL Walter Nolen III and what people are saying about him Howard Balzer breaks down Nolen's rookie deal and shares what people are saying about the Cardinals' first-round pick. There have been only eight practices this offseason with the final one of minicamp Thursday, but Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III has been receiving rave notices from teammates and coaches. Also important is that Nolen signed his rookie contract this week, a four-year deal, with a fifth-year option worth $19,367,550 guaranteed and includes a signing bonus of $10,725,492. His salary-cap charge in 2025 is $3,521,373. The contract includes minimum base salaries each year ($840,000 this year; $1.005 million in 2026, $1.12 million in 2027 and $1.235 million in 2028. However, his pay in those final three years will be larger because of roster bonuses payable on the fifth day of training camp. That money for first-round picks has often been included in the base salary, but the bonus gets it in their hands earlier than it being prorated over the 18-week season. Those bonuses are $715,343 in 2026; $1,480,686 in 2027 and $2,246,029 in 2028. Now, about those accolades for the player selected with the 16th pick of the draft. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis reflected on coaches watching a big screen in defensive backs coach Patrick Toney's office on draft night and how he was 'just hoping that we would be able to get Walt. Obviously super excited about the player that he is, the guy that he is.' As for what he's seen in the brief work so far, Rallis said, 'I knew he was gonna be the talent that we saw on tape. I would say he's very coachable, great to work with. You see him take those coaching points immediately to the field, whether that's in individual or when going against the offense. And I can tell he studies hard outside the building because he's got things down pretty fast. So pretty impressive so far.' Fellow lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, signed as a 31-year-old free agent this offseason, said Tuesday, 'I love his quickness, his pass rush. I saw him in some drills and stuff today in our team period. He's just fluid like it comes natural to him and as we progress in training camp with pads on, he's just a natural good defensive tackle. It's just like the sky is the limit for him. And I'm happy I'm part of the process to help him continue to improve.' Last year, the Cardinals selected defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the first round at 27 overall. Both are from the SEC with Robinson playing for Missouri and Nolen for Mississippi. 'I love it,' Robinson said after the first OTA practice on May 28 about the addition of Nolen. 'He was on the other side of the SEC, so I never played against Walt. But I know he's going be a great player, great teammate. Like last week he brought everybody Epsom salts, the Dr. Teal's bag. So it just shows you he's a high-character young man and he's a really good teammate. So I'm excited to make some plays with him.' Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ernie Clement homers and Blue Jays beat Cardinals 5-2 for 3-game sweep
St. Louis Cardinals' Yohel Pozo (63) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement gestures skyward as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, and Ernie Clement celebrate after Clement's solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, and Ernie Clement celebrate after Clement's solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) St. Louis Cardinals' Yohel Pozo (63) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement gestures skyward as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., right, and Ernie Clement celebrate after Clement's solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane) ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ernie Clement homered and Spencer Turnbull worked two scoreless innings to win his Toronto debut as the Blue Jays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Wednesday for a three-game sweep. Clement finished with three hits but did not take the field in the ninth at third base after suffering an apparent leg injury. He dove for a grounder in the eighth and needed some attention but finished the inning. Advertisement Clement's fourth homer gave Toronto a 5-2 lead in the fifth. Toronto won for the seventh time in eight games and is 22-10 over its last 32. Turnbull (1-0) worked the sixth and seventh innings, striking out two. He signed with Toronto last month and began the season in the minors. Turnbull played five seasons with Detroit and was with Philadelphia last year. Yariel Rodríguez pitched the ninth for his first major league save. The Cardinals lost their fourth straight. Matthew Liberatore (3-6) and gave up five runs, three earned, and eight hits in five innings. Yohel Pozo's second homer gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead in the second. Advertisement Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan didn't play after leaving Tuesday's game with a sore big left toe. The club is awaiting MRI results. He leads the team with a .310 average and 77 hits. Key moment Bo Bichette's sacrifice fly in the fourth scored Myles Straw and allowed Jonatan Clase to reach third. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. followed with an RBl single for a 4-2 lead. Key stat The Cardinals were swept in a three-game series at home for the first time since April 19-21, 2024, against Milwaukee. Up next St. Louis' Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.35) pitches against Jacob Misiorowski, who will make his major league debut for host Milwaukee on Thursday. Toronto's Kevin Gausman (5-4, 3.87) faces host Philadelphia and Ranger Suarez (4-1, 2.70) on Friday. ___ AP MLB:
