The Blue Jays are looking to trade for Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley
The Cardinals are currently looking to truly shake things up after a disappointing 2024 season and have been mentioned that they are open to pretty much trading anyone including closer Ryan Helsley.
Helsley had a solid season in 2024 with the Cardinals making 65 relief appearances with a 2.04 ERA in a total of 66.1 innings pitched and finished the season 49 saves in 53 opportunities.
Helsley made a career-high 65 relief appearances in 2024, leading the majors in saves while converting 49 of his 53 opportunities, pitching to a 2.04 ERA and 2.41 FIP across 66.1 innings - also a career-high.
He accounted for 2.3 fWAR, the highest rating of his six big-league seasons, which finished tied for third among qualified major-league relievers. -Hall
Trading for Helsley could be a great move for the Blue Jays atrocious bullpen but in financial terms as well since he is headed into his last year of arbitration and is set to make around $6.9 million which is nothing for what he can bring to the table.
Strictly from an on-field-value perspective, Helsley would undoubtedly be a tremendous addition to Toronto's bullpen rebuild. That goes without saying.
However, another benefit from exploring that path is he's projected to earn $6.9 million in his final arbitration year per MLB Trade Rumors' model, making him an affordable high-leverage reliever, especially compared to the lucrative prices that the top-tier free-agent relief arms are expected to command. -Hall
Ryan Helsley, 100mph Fastball and 91mph Slider, Overlay