The Philadelphia Phillies remain in the mix for a spot in the 2025 postseason. They are just two games back of the New York Mets in the National League East are leading the Wild Card race.
Still, there are areas of the roster that could use some work. The bullpen in particular has struggled this year.
Those struggles were magnified after Jose Alvarado was lost to an 80-game PED suspension. He is ineligible for the postseason, so the Phillies have a hole to fill.
Zach Pressnell of Sports Illustrated listed Philadelphia as a fit for All-Star closer Ryan Helsley.
“The Philadelphia Phillies have made sense as a suitor for Helsley ever since Jose Alvarado was suspended for half the season and the postseason. Besides that, the Phillies bullpen hasn’t been great anyway,” Pressnell wrote.
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Helsley hasn’t been quite as dominant this year as he was in 2024. He’s 3-0, but owns a 3.96 ERA and has blown five saves, three of which have come in the month of June.
Helsley saved 49 games last season, setting a St. Louis Cardinals franchise record. The Phillies have the pitching prospects St. Louis might want at the trade deadline.
This means a deal could get done easily, and the Cardinals can capitalize on Helsley’s value while they still can. The Phillies can also beef up their bullpen and prepare for a run down the stretch.
It will certainly be interesting to see if a deal can get done. Helsley’s value could be taking a hit with his recent struggles, but he still is the reigning NL Reliever of the Year.
We’ll see if the Phillies decide to target him.
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