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Zach Pressnell is a Newsweek contributor based in Columbus, Ohio. His focus is MLB content. He has an extensive knowledge of professional baseball and all things that come with it after working closely with the sport for years. Zach has been with Newsweek since November 2024 and previously worked at FanSided and OnSI. He is a graduate of Bethany College (WV). You can get in touch with Zach by emailing z.pressnell@newsweek.com.
Contributing Sports Writer
The St. Louis Cardinals seem to be entering a full-scale rebuild that'll begin turning their franchise around in the next few years.
St. Louis has cut ties with multiple veterans this offseason while not chasing any of the marquee free agents. There are also rumors that the Cardinals could be looking to trade a few expiring players, including Nolan Arenado, before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.
Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report recently predicted the Cardinals would trade closer Ryan Helsley before the trade deadline this season. Rymer also listed the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox as potential landing spots.
"It was an odd position to take, given Helsley's impending free agency after what will be a transitional year for the Cardinals. But unless the team makes a surprise playoff run, Helsley is bound to end up back on the trading block," Rymer wrote. "If so, he would stand to be the top reliever on the summer market.
"Helsley has a 1.83 ERA across 152 appearances dating back to 2022. Armed with a 100 mph fastball and a devastating slider, he was in the 97th percentile with his whiff rate in 2024. Health will be key for Helsley, who missed time because of knee surgery in 2021 and a forearm strain in 2023. But if he holds together, he's going to be a hot commodity."
Helsley will likely end up on the market early in the 2025 season. It's quite surprising there hasn't been more smoke surrounding his name on the trade block this offseason.
The flamethrower led the league in saves last season and St. Louis is unlikely to bring him back when he lands in free agency next offseason. Spotrac projects him to sign for $81 million in free agency.
The Cardinals could receive a haul in return for him. Both the Phillies and the Red Sox have the urgency, need, and prospect capital to make a huge trade for Helsley in the coming months.
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