As July is wrapping up, the MLB trade deadline is creeping closer, and the whispers are growing louder by the day. And the hush-hush talks out of Boston have turned into a low but persistent rumble right now. Boston seems to be on a hunt, looking to bolster one area that feels shaky now—the bullpen. Right at the top of their wish list is St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
You can see why, honestly. The 30-year-old flamethrower is not just good; he is elite at this point. He is a two-time all-star and leads all of baseball in saves this season, with 49 saves. And he brings that dominance that could essentially change how the game flows in October.
Plus, with Aroldis Chapman already in the picture, Helsley would give Boston a lethal way to lock down the late innings. From the outside, it looks like a match made in heaven, right? But wait, Boston fans might have to wait before celebrating just yet.
@BNightengale reports that since the Cardinals don’t plan to extend a qualifying offer to RHP Ryan Helsley after 2025, they feel there’s no choice but to trade him so as to not lose their closer for nothing. He reports five teams have expressed interest. pic.twitter.com/haGKdDfLCt
— Under The Arch Sports (@_UTASports) July 20, 2025
Sure, Jeff Passan highlighted Helsley as the Red Sox’s ‘best match” on the market. Someone who is a good fit for a team that’s pushing to make October baseball a reality again. But just as the buzz had begun, it seems like the brakes are on as quickly. As NESN put it bluntly in a report, saying, “Uncertainty remains over which premier relief pitchers could be available for the Boston Red Sox to chase before MLB’s trade deadline.… ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently identified the St. Louis Cardinals closer as Boston’s ‘best match’ for an impactful deadline deal. However, the Red Sox may not get the chance.”
That’s not without reason. See, that’s because the St. Louis Cardinals, as it stands, are maybe not willing to sell. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale mentioned that St. Louis is still weighing out their options. They are just 2.5 games behind in the Wild Card race, and while Helsley has not signed an extension, he is still under club control through 2025. This gives them enough time or even leverage, depending on how you look at it.
Plus, the Boston Red Sox turns out not to be alone. At least five teams are believed to be eyeing Helsley and hoping that the Cardinals blink and let go. But if St. Louis stands pat, the Sox might have to move quickly. Because in this playoff race, hesitation could be the difference maker between getting an edge or watching the playoffs from home in October.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley grapples with trade rumors
There is no doubt that the trade deadline is brutal. Sure, for the fans it’s all excitement, and for the front office it’s all strategy. But for players who are actually in the eye of the storm, it’s just emotional quicksand sometimes. And that’s where Helsley finds himself essentially. Even though he is amidst one of his best seasons after last season’s injury, he finds his name plastered in trade rumors. Not just the Red Sox, but the Yankees, too, seem interested. So, roads could easily lead out of St. Louis for him. But for the $8.2 million flamethrower, all this is not easy.
Because St. Louis is not just another city; it’s home. Ryan Helsley has been in the organization since 2015. He was drafted out of Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He worked his way up in the system and got to where he is now. Yet, he may be pitching in a different jersey. Helsley told MLB, “It’s all out of my control now. If I had it my way, I would stay here and make it easy on myself, but that’s just not the way the game works. It’s a business, at the end of the day, and I get that. The hard part about this game is that it all boils down to the business side of things.” There seems to be some weariness in that voice, and it’s proof that even the best season can’t help when business meddles.
Plus, what makes it harder for the St. Louis loyal is that his wife and kids are here. His oldest just started school nearby, and people around the stadium are like family to him. “This is my 11th year here, counting my Draft year, so I’ve got a lot of good buddies here and I believe in the clubhouse and the young talent we have.” Well, the Cardinals have not made a call yet, so nothing is certain.
But for now, Helsley can’t control anything, just pitch, hope, and brace himself for what’s to come. What do you think will happen?
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