Ryan Helsley Confident He Will Be Traded at 2025 Deadline
In a bold and unexpected statement, MLB pitcher Ryan Helsley has declared that he is almost certain he will be traded at the 2025 deadline. The 27-year-old, who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals, made the announcement during a recent interview with a local sports radio station.
Helsley, who has been with the Cardinals since 2019, expressed his belief that his time with the team is coming to an end. “I have a feeling that I won’t be wearing this uniform for much longer,” he stated confidently. “I think I’ll be traded at the 2025 deadline.”
The right-handed pitcher did not provide any specific reasons for his prediction, but he did mention that he has been receiving interest from other teams. “I’ve been getting some calls and inquiries from other teams, so I have a feeling something will happen in the near future,” Helsley explained.
While some may view Helsley’s statement as a lack of loyalty to his current team, the pitcher made it clear that he is fully committed to the Cardinals for the remainder of his contract. “I am still 100% focused on helping this team win and I will continue to give my all every time I step on the
St. Louis Cardinals Closer Ryan Helsley Expects to be Traded Ahead of Deadline
As the St. Louis Cardinals continue to struggle in July, closer Ryan Helsley can see the writing on the wall. Despite the team still being in the wild-card hunt, Helsley expects to be traded before the July 31 deadline.
In an interview with The Athletic, Helsley gave a blunt and honest answer when asked about his situation, saying it was “90 percent” likely he would be traded. This comes as no surprise, as contending teams are always looking for strong relief pitching, and Helsley is one of the top closers available along with the Cleveland Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase.
“I would say it’s 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay,” Helsley said.
According to The Athletic, it is common for relievers to be dealt around the trade deadline, as they are easier to acquire compared to star starters or position players. Despite the Cardinals still being in the playoff race, Helsley’s estimation of the situation may come as a surprise to some. However, the team’s recent performance in July has not been promising, with a record of 6-12 and losses to teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
While Helsley has experienced some regression this season, he still holds a strong value in the trade market. With a 3.09 ERA, 25.5 percent strikeout rate, and 20 saves, he has proven to be a reliable closer. However, these numbers are slightly lower than his performance last year, where he earned his second All-Star appearance and received Cy Young votes.
There is a possibility that the Cardinals could trade Helsley and still remain in contention. Relievers are easier to replace than most players, and acquiring a major-league ready player at another position could give the team the boost they need in the second half of the season.
While trading Helsley may not necessarily be a white flag for the Cardinals, his certainty about being traded does not bode well for the team’s chances in the future. As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see if the Cardinals make any moves to improve their chances of making the playoffs.
