5 players the Cardinals should consider selling high on

RHP Ryan Helsley

Ryan Helsley was one of the best relievers in all of baseball in 2024. He led all of baseball with 49 saves, he had a 2.04 ERA, and he struck out nearly 11 batters per nine innings. He threw a total of 66.1 innings, and he finished 62 games for the Cardinals last year. Suffice it to say, Helsley was dominant.

Helsley's value was probably at its peak at this past year's trade deadline, but he was chasing the franchise single-season save record, and the Cardinals were in a playoff push at the time. Trading him in July was tantamount to the Milwaukee Brewers trading Josh Hader a couple of years ago; had the Cardinals dealt Ryan Helsley at the deadline, the morale of the team would have likely changed for the worse.

Helsley's value still remains high, albeit not quite as high as some fans may think. It's likely a player of Ryan Helsley's ability in his final year of team control nets one top-100 prospect no higher than 75th overall or multiple fringe top-100 prospects. He's projected to receive around $7 million next year through arbitration, and if the front office and ownership want to save money, that's a move they could make.

Considering the Cardinals are entering a "reset" period, trading a relief pitcher -- an already volatile position -- while he's near his peak value would be wise. It will be tough to see Ryan Helsley, a true homegrown player, be traded and possibly pitch well somewhere else, but it would be borderline malpractice to keep him on the roster for 2025.