Latest news with #Helsley
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Reports Cardinals' Top Priority Is Trading Closer At Deadline
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 entered this season with low expectations, and even though they are within striking distance of a playoff spot, the club is reportedly looking to move their closer, Ryan Helsley, before Thursday's deadline. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Cardinals have been in talks and are "devoted" to moving Helsley. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 25: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 25, 2025 in St... ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 25: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 25, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. More Photo byHelsley has taken a step back in his production this season but still holds significant value on the trade market as one of the top relievers available. The right-hander is coming off a record-setting season where he saved 49 games to set the Cardinals' franchise record while also winning the National League Reliever of the Year award. This season has not been as profound for the Cardinals' closer, but he has saved 21 games thus far despite a rise in his WHIP and home runs per nine innings. Teams are calling on the Cardinals closer to see what the cost was, and after the Pittsburgh Pirates are reported to be asking for a top-five prospect for David Bednar, by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, some of them may shift their primary focus to Helsley. Although the Cardinals could make a run at the final wild card spot, they are looking to put the team in the hands of Chaim Bloom next year with a clear evaluation of the talent. With Helsley possibly on his way out in free agency, the Cardinals could land something in return if they moved him by Thursday's deadline. If the Cardinals make a run after trading Helsley, it could look like a poor decision to move on from the reliever, but it would give Bloom the confidence in his team next season. More MLB: Cubs, Mariners Reportedly Frontrunners For Diamondbacks Third Baseman After Yankees Trade
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Reportedly 'Interested' In Blockbuster Trade For Coveted $81M 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 New York Yankees have been on a roller coaster ride this season. They have a loaded roster, but they've struggled with injuries, most notably Aaron Judge's recent trip to the injured list. The trade deadline is approaching quickly, and the Yankees need to make some decisions. They're going to be buyers, as seen with their trades for Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, but it's unclear how aggressive they will be. If the Bronx Bombers are aggressive, there are a few names to acquire that could turn them back into World Series favorites. MLB's Mark Feinsand recently suggested the Yankees were interested in a trade for star St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley in the coming days. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 25: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 25, 2025 in St... ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 25: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on July 25, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. More"Ryan Helsley is one of the most popular trade targets with no less than a half-dozen teams interested to varying degrees. Among the suitors, per sources, are the Yankees, (New York) Mets, (Los Angeles) Dodgers, (Philadelphia) Phillies, (Texas) Rangers, and (Toronto) Blue Jays," Feinsand wrote in a post to Twitter/X on Tuesday morning. The Yankees have seemingly preferred to hold onto prospects rather than swing big trades. The decision to go after McMahon rather than pay the prospect capital to acquire Eugenio Suárez suggests as much. If the Yankees are willing to go all in for this year, a deal for the expiring Helsley would work. Helsley is set to hit free agency at the end of the year, where Spotrac projects him to sign for $81 million. This would be a shocking move for the Yankees to make, but it would certainly move the needle. Keep an eye on the Bronx Bombers in the coming days. More MLB: Pirates GM Breaks Silence On Latest David Bednar Trade Rumors
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Mets Predicted To Land Cardinals' Two-Time All-Star In Deadline Heist
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 New York Mets already have an All-Star closer, but they shouldn't say no to adding another. Edwin Díaz has been the most dominant version of himself for most of the season, providing a huge boost to the Mets in save situations. But he doesn't have a particularly reliable setup man at the moment, as Reed Garrett and Huascar Brazobán have stumbled since the start of summer. If the Mets are going to return to the World Series for the first time in a decade, they'll need at least one big bullpen arm ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 8: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on July 8, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 8: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium on July 8, 2025 in St Louis, that arm be Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals? On Sunday, Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut predicted that the two-time All-Star, who is a free agent at the end of the season, would be shipped to the Mets by the deadline. "The New York Mets' bullpen will be addressed further at the MLB trade deadline, even after the Gregory Soto acquisition. New York likely won't want to get into a bidding war for one of the All-Star closers under contract for multiple seasons, but it can get Ryan Helsley," wrote Johnson. "The St. Louis Cardinals closer boasts a 2.03 ERA over the last four seasons, including an 11.8 K/9. Since he's a free agent this winter, he should be a bit more affordable for the Mets to acquire." It's not been Helsley's best season so far, but the 30-year-old still boasts a 3.00 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 36 innings. With the Cardinals dropping to 54-53 after a hot start, it seems all but certain the closer will be on the move. If the Mets can win the Helsley sweepstakes, they'll be well positioned for a run at their first division title in a decade. More MLB: Dodgers Predicted To Bring Top AL Central Fireballer To Los Angeles
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley ‘90 percent' sure he will be traded before deadline
Ryan Helsley's days in St. Louis are numbered. At least, according to him. The Cardinals closer told The Athletic on Thursday that he's expecting to be dealt before Thursday's deadline after years of his name in trade rumors. 'I would say it's 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay,' Helsley said. 'It's a little bit different this time. The likelihood is probably as great as it's ever been for me to get traded.' Helsley, 31, has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball in recent years. Since 2022, Helsley has the second-best ERA (2.04) and fifth-best strikeout percentage (32.8 percent) among relievers with at least 200 innings pitched over that period. St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images This season, the two-time All-Star has a 3.09 ERA with 20 saves and 39 strikeouts in 35 innings. But with the Cardinals struggling to stay in the National League playoff picture, it appears that they may move on from the flame-throwing right-hander, who is set to become a free agent this winter. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. AP St. Louis is 53-51 heading into Friday's play, sitting nine games back of the Brewers in the NL Central and 2 1/2 games back in the wild-card race. 'From a front office perspective, I think they saw what they wanted to see,' Helsley said. 'Do you sell, where this is a two or three-year rebuild? Or do you just solely take this as a rebuild year?' Despite anticipating his departure, Helsley made it clear that he wants to continue playing for the only big league franchise he's ever known. 'There are so many different scenarios you can do. But I want to stay here. I want to help us win here, with the Cardinals.'
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
What we're hearing about the MLB trade deadline: Ryan Helsley, the Rockies and the relief market
What we're hearing about the MLB trade deadline is a collection of news and notes from our reporting team of Patrick Mooney, Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal. If Ryan Helsley had it his way, he'd be a St. Louis Cardinal for life. The Cardinals closer is no stranger to trade speculation. Rumors regarding his future have swirled since last October, when the team first announced they'd be taking steps back and focusing on the future. He maintained then, just as he maintains now, that he wants to stay in St. Louis. Advertisement But now, with less than a week remaining before the trade deadline, Helsley understands the writing is on the wall. 'It's a little bit different this time,' Helsley acknowledged. 'The likelihood is probably as great as it's ever been for me to get traded.' The Cardinals entered play Thursday one game above .500, 9 1/2 games out of the National League Central and 3 1/2 games out of the final NL wild card spot. They stumbled out of the break and went 1-5 on their most recent road trip — which included being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks and dropping two of three games to the dismal Colorado Rockies. Manager Oli Marmol described Wednesday's game, a 6-0 shutout loss to Colorado, as 'the worst game we've played all season.' That should signal sell time in St. Louis, but the club has not yet publicly declared whether it will actually do so.. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak acknowledged earlier in the week the standings will ultimately force his deadline decision. The Cardinals rarely sell — they have done so just one time in Mozeliak's nearly two-decade long stint atop the organization. But all signs point towards a soft sell-off in Mozeliak's final season. 'From a front office perspective, I think they saw what they wanted to see,' Helsley said. 'Do you sell, where this is a two or three-year rebuild? Or do you just solely take this as a rebuild year? 'There are so many different scenarios you can do. But I want to stay here. I want to help us win here, with the Cardinals.' Moving Helsley, who will be a first-time free agent at the end of the season, seems unavoidable. The Cardinals elected to hold on to Helsley coming into the year, a decision that baffled rival executives at the time. Now several of those same executives are speed-dialing Mozeliak, eager to deal for one of baseball's top closers. At least five teams have inquired with varying degrees of interest, league sources said. Advertisement Helsley's value is not nearly as high as it was in the winter. Some of that is to be expected, as an acquiring team would gain just two months of control. But there is also at least some underlying concern regarding how hard he's been hit this season. Helsley owns one of the most powerful fastballs in the sport, but opposing hitters are teeing off on it this year, posting a .415 average and a .538 slugging percentage. Still, contending teams want firepower, and relief pitching is always coveted this time of year. Helsley and the Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase look to be the top closers available, leaving Helsley counting down the days. 'I would say it's 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay,' Helsley said. The Colorado Rockies are listening to trade offers for reliever Victor Vodnik, but the asking price is high, league sources said. Similarly, the Rockies would entertain calls on reliever Seth Halvorsen, but would want a big return. Each pitcher is under club control for a handful of seasons. Vodnik, 25, isn't a free agent until after the 2029 season. Halvorsen, also 25, doesn't reach free agency until after the 2030 season. In the past, the Rockies have been reluctant to move pitchers with multiple years left before free agency, though they did flip reliever Nick Mears to the Milwaukee Brewers last season for Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera. If Colorado were to trade any of their relievers with club control, rival teams suggested Jake Bird as the likeliest to go. The Athletic previously reported the Rockies' willingness to listen to offers for Bird. Vodnik, whose four-seam fastball averages 98.5 mph, has a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings this season with 30 strikeouts and 17 walks. Last year, he racked up 73 2/3 innings posting a a 4.28 ERA with nine saves. Halvorsen, who has nine saves this season, is another hard-thrower with a four-seam fastball averaging 100.1 mph. In 37 2/3 innings, he has a 5.02 ERA with 35 strikeouts against 18 walks. (Photo of Ryan Helsley: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
