Some trades are made out of necessity. But some are made just to keep a talented player away from fellow contenders.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the opportunity to ruin some of their challengers’ plans this season at the trade deadline. After hogging talent during free agency, there’s no reason to think the Dodgers will be satisfied with their roster as it is.
After building arguably the deepest bullpen in Major League Baseball this offseason, the Dodgers likely won’t need extra arms to get through the season. But it’s hard to see the front office passing up on an opportunity to land a two-time All-Star closer if the price is right.
That closer is St. Louis Cardinals star Ryan Helsley, a flamethrower fresh off saving 49 games and winning the National League Reliever of the Year Award in 2024. With the Cardinals in a mini-rebuild, the impending free agent Helsley is expected to be one of the top prizes at the deadline.
On Wednesday, Newsweek’s Drew VonScio proposed a hypothetical trade that would send Helsley to Los Angeles for outfielder Zyhir Hope (MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 Dodgers prospect) and infielder Noah Miller (No. 25).
“The Dodgers must add to the bullpen to be successful in the postseason, there’s no question about that. While they have a variety of pitchers on the injured list currently, they can’t rely on those players to perform or on internal improvements,” VonScio wrote.
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“Ryan Helsley is set to be a free agent after this season, so he will have the most suitors among contenders. As a result, the Cardinals will take the highest bidder when it comes to dealing their closer.”
The Dodgers already have Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, and Michael Kopech as ninth-inning options. But if the Dodgers don’t get Helsley, there’s a good chance the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, or San Diego Padres will.
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