4 trade packages that could entice the Cardinals to move Ryan Helsley this offseason

With moves expected this offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals look like a team entering a minor rebuild and will look to shed veteran contracts as they look toward their future. Names like pitcher Sonny Gray, third baseman Nolan Arenado and catcher Willson Contreras have already been mentioned as players to be shopped this offseason. Outside of Gray, one player that could match him in value would be closer Ryan Helsley.

Coming off a year that saw him save 49 games, breaking the Cardinals franchise record and also leading the MLB. Helsley heads into the offseason as the best closer available and will be entering his final season of arbitration. The 30-year-old is entering his prime but will be due a big deal soon, that's something that doesn't line up with the Cardinals' current outlook.

With Helsley set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, the Cardinals are unlikely to fetch a top prospect but they should be able to get a trio of promising players from a team's top 30.

After going through notable trades involving closers including Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in 2016, Josh Hader to the Padres in 2022 and Tanner Scott to the Padres this season. I have come up with prospect packages from four teams that should be in the market for a closer this offseason.

New York Yankees

The Yankees finished the 2024 season with the best record in the American League, but they had one glaring issue as closer Clay Holmes tied a franchise record with 13 blown saves. and even found himself demoted from the role briefly in September. With Holmes set to be a free agent this offseason, adding a bonafide closer like Helsley would be a massive upgrade for the Yankees.

The Yankees have the 18th-ranked farm system in the MLB according to MLB.com, but they have some intriguing players in their top 30 that could end up being valuable contributors at the major league level down the road. In my proposal, the Yankees would send their number 9, 13, and 27-ranked prospects in exchange for the All-Star closer.

RHP Bryce Cunningham was drafted in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft and while his numbers during his time at Vanderbilt don't look too promising he had some of the best pitch metrics in college baseball. Possessing a fastball that reaches 97 mph, a swing-and-miss changeup, and a sweeping slider that is effective he shows potential to be a number 2 or 3 starter and could be a fast riser through the minor league system like Quinn Mathews was for the Cardinals.

The next piece of the trade is 19-year-old outfielder Brando Mayea, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023 he has a quick swing from the right side and has elite speed. In 35 games in rookie ball last season, he slashed .281/.370/.326 with 19 stolen bases. While he lacked extra-base hits, his power is still developing and his ability to get on base while playing plus-defense could carry him to the majors but he still has plenty of time to progress as a player.

The final piece of the trade would be LHP Griffin Herring, drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 draft out of Louisiana State he was one of the most valuable pieces out of the bullpen for the Tigers. With a devastating sweeper in his arsenal, his fastball lacks velocity topping out at 94 mph but at 6-foot-2 there is still room for velocity growth. He has the potential to start, but if that doesn't work out he has the tools to be a high-leverage guy out of the bullpen.

Yankees trade: RHP Bryce Cunningham, LHP Griffin Herring and OF Brando Mayea
Cardinals trade: RHP Ryan Helsley