The New York Yankees are always on the hunt for the best talent in baseball, and Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals has caught their attention.
Helsley is one of the top closers in the league, known for shutting down games with ease and putting up jaw-dropping numbers.
The Yankees see him as the perfect addition to their bullpen, which is already one of the strongest around.
But making a trade like this is a chess match. Big names, future stars, and much money are on the table.
Here’s everything you need to know about why the Yankees want Helsley, what they’re willing to trade, and how it could all go down.
- Helsley had an incredible 2024 season, posting a 2.04 ERA, saving 49 games, and winning the NL Reliever of the Year Award. He’s now one of the most wanted closers in the league.
- The Yankees are considering trading Marcus Stroman and top prospect Chase Hampton to get Helsley and Miles Mikolas.
- With Helsley entering the final year of his contract, the Cardinals face a big decision—should they keep him or trade him for young talent to build for the future?
Yankees’ Interest in Ryan Helsley
The Yankees have always aimed to build a winning team by finding the best players available.
Their interest in Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals’ All-Star closer, is another example of this strategy.
Helsley has become one of the best closers in baseball, and his 2024 season was proof of his talent.
In 2024, Helsley led the league with 49 saves, a Cardinals franchise record.
He had a 2.04 ERA and struck out 79 batters in 66.1 innings.
His 92.5% save percentage was the best in the National League, earning him the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award and a spot on the All-MLB First Team.
Helsley’s skill and performance caught the Yankees’ attention.
Even though they already have Devin Williams as their closer, the Yankees see adding Helsley as a way to create one of the strongest bullpens in baseball history.
The Trade Proposal
The Yankees are exploring a trade to bring Helsley to their team.
A potential trade includes these details:
- Yankees Receive: RHP Ryan Helsley, RHP Miles Mikolas
- Cardinals Receive: RHP Marcus Stroman, RHP Chase Hampton (Yankees’ No. 6 prospect)
For the Yankees, Helsley would be a great addition to their bullpen.
Miles Mikolas would be included to balance the deal financially.
The Yankees might cut Mikolas, but his contract would help reduce financial pressure.
For the Cardinals, Marcus Stroman would provide a reliable starting pitcher.
Chase Hampton, a 23-year-old top prospect, is seen as a future star with the potential to become a front-line starter.
This trade would help the Cardinals start their rebuilding process while getting value for Helsley, who is in the final year of his contract.
Helsley’s Time with the Cardinals
Helsley was drafted by the Cardinals in 2015 and has been a key player for them since.
Over six seasons, he played in 239 games and became a dependable closer.
In his career-best 2024 season, he achieved a 3.0 WAR and held batters to a .210 batting average.
Although Helsley has had a lot of success, the Cardinals have struggled as a team, failing to win more than 83 games for two seasons.
This has led to talks of a rebuild, with Helsley being one of their most valuable trade assets.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said, “It’s something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have him be part of our organization.”
This shows the Cardinals are considering all options but still value Helsley’s contributions.
Competition for Helsley
The Yankees are not the only team interested in Helsley.
The Toronto Blue Jays, who had one of the worst bullpens last season, are also trying to trade for him.
Reports suggest the Blue Jays are willing to offer Helsley a six-year, $81 million extension if they can complete the trade.
Helsley’s stats and age make him an ideal candidate for such a deal.
He is 30 years old, and a six-year contract would keep him with a team until he is 37.
This is reasonable for relief pitchers since their workload is generally less demanding than starting pitchers.
However, the Blue Jays may face challenges competing with the Yankees’ offer.
Their farm system is not as strong, and the Cardinals are looking for solid young players to rebuild their team.
Helsley’s Thoughts on a Trade
Helsley has spoken about the possibility of being traded and how it would affect him.
He shared his mixed feelings with MLB.com’s John Denton,
“If I get traded, I hope it’s to a team that I can help win. But that would be an emotional day because I grew up rooting for the Cardinals, got drafted by them in 2015, and I’ve spent 10 years with them. But, at the end of the day, I’ve got to be professional and move on if it comes to that.”
He also mentioned his current contract situation,
“They say they love having me here in St. Louis. With the way things have gone this last year, they like me where I’m at [financially], but they don’t know if they want to keep me long-term.”
This honest response shows how much Helsley cares about the game and his team, even as he faces the possibility of moving on.
Why Helsley Matters
Whether he stays with the Cardinals or joins another team, Helsley’s talent makes him one of the most important players in these trade talks.
His ability to lock down games and handle high-pressure moments puts him in a league of his own.
For the Yankees, landing Helsley would mean taking their bullpen to the next level.
For the Cardinals, trading him could bring in young talent to help rebuild their roster.
Either way, Helsley’s name will continue to dominate trade discussions as teams look for that missing piece to take them to the top.
