Last season, the St. Louis Cardinals were determined to contend with their veteran core, but after falling short in the regular season, it seems they are now fully embracing a rebuild that has been looming over the franchise.
General Manager John Mozeliak and the Cardinals have already allowed key veterans like Paul Goldschmidt, Kyle Gibson, and Lance Lynn to hit free agency. As part of their rebuilding process, St. Louis is reportedly open to trading more players, with closer Ryan Helsley at the top of that list. Helsley, who was one of the most dominant closers in MLB in 2024, led the league with 49 saves despite the Cardinals missing the postseason.
One team that could be a strong fit for Helsley is the Philadelphia Phillies, who are expected to lose both Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman to free agency. While the Phillies may be able to bring back one of them, re-signing both seems unlikely. Here’s a trade proposal that could send Helsley to Philadelphia:
Trade Proposal:
- St. Louis Cardinals receive:
- RHP Mick Abel (No. 6 prospect)
- SS/2B Devin Saltiban (No. 9 prospect)
- Philadelphia Phillies receive:
- RHP Ryan Helsley
- RHP Miles Mikolas
- Cash Considerations (half of Mikolas’ remaining contract)
For the Cardinals, moving Miles Mikolas’ hefty contract would be a major step toward resetting their roster. In this deal, they send Mikolas to the Phillies along with cash to cover half of his remaining contract. Philadelphia would likely cut Mikolas, saving them the long-term commitment. They would also acquire Helsley to shore up their bullpen, which lacked a standout closer in 2024.
If the Phillies aren’t interested in taking on Mikolas’ contract, the deal could be adjusted by removing him and adding another top-10 prospect to the mix. Mick Abel, once a top-100 prospect, struggled last season but still has significant upside. He could be a candidate for St. Louis’ rotation with a strong spring training. Devin Saltiban, a 19-year-old infielder, is an intriguing prospect with five-tool potential, offering St. Louis a potential future star.
This trade would benefit both teams. The Phillies, who had a solid bullpen last year, would gain the dominant closer they need in Helsley, giving them another weapon as they look to challenge for the top spot in the National League East. The Cardinals, meanwhile, would get valuable prospects in return, helping them build for the future.
Who says no to this deal?
