The New York Yankees should be expected to be movers and shakers at the 2025 trade deadline.
Though they’ve led the American League East from wire to wire, the Yankees’ recent six-game losing streak proves they’re far from invincible. And though it didn’t cost them as much as the offense did during that stretch, their bullpen has been fairly pedestrian for the last few weeks.
Devin Williams has finally kicked into gear after a dreadful start, and Luke Weaver was reinstated from the injured list on Friday ahead of the Yankees’ series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. But one more high-leverage arm in that mix would take things to another level.
How about Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals? The two-time All-Star and 2024 National League Reliever of the Year will be a free agent at the end of the season, and though they’ve been better than expected this year, the Cardinals have long been predicted to sell.
Earlier this week, MLB insider Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports linked the Yankees to Helsley as a top potential suitor at the Jul. 31 deadline.
“Helsley is 3-0 with a 3.96 ERA over, but he has a 5.14 ERA over his past seven outings. A big reason for that is hitters’ success against his fastball. The pitch is typically unhittable, but batters are hitting .400 against Helsley’s four-seamer this season,” Dorsey wrote.
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“There might be some cause for concern with the Cardinals’ closer, but Helsley isn’t the first reliever to go through struggles. And with his track record being what it is, a contender might well believe that a few tweaks and a change of scenery could be just what Helsley needs. Potential landing spots: Yankees, Phillies, Tigers.”
Helsley has since lowered his season ERA to 3.81, but the point remains that he hasn’t been at his best. Still, he’s a proven closer, so he could mix in as a ninth-inning option in the Bronx.
Given that the Cardinals are building for the long term, one can expect them to hold onto Helsley until the last possible moment, so as many teams as possible join the bidding war.
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