Is Helsley Making a Comeback to St. Louis?
After a successful season with the Memphis Redbirds, could Ryan Helsley be making a return to the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason?
The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher has been making waves in the minor leagues, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 43 appearances for the Redbirds. With his impressive performance, many are wondering if he will be called up to the big leagues once again.
Helsley made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2019, appearing in 24 games and recording a 2.95 ERA. However, he struggled in 2020, posting a 5.25 ERA in 16 appearances before being sent back down to the minors.
But with his recent success in Memphis, it seems like Helsley has regained his form and could be a valuable asset to the Cardinals’ bullpen. With the team currently in need of reliable relief pitchers, his return could be a much-needed boost.
In addition to his on-field performance, Helsley’s versatility also makes him a valuable player. He
Could the Cardinals Reunite with Ryan Helsley? MLB Writer Suggests It’s Possible
Reliever Ryan Helsley has been struggling since being traded to the New York Mets at the 2025 trade deadline. In just 14 games with the Mets, the two-time All-Star has posted an 11.45 ERA, a significant difference from his 3.00 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the season.
But while this may be bad news for Helsley, it could be a good opportunity for the Cardinals, who are currently in a rebuilding phase. With his market value decreasing, Andrew Wang of Redbird Rants suggests that Helsley could potentially find himself back in St. Louis this offseason.
The Cardinals originally traded Helsley, who is on an expiring contract, to the Mets for three young prospects with high potential. This move was heavily criticized at the time, but Helsley’s performance in New York has only added to the backlash. In just over a month, his season ERA has increased from 3.00 to 4.98.
According to spotrac, Helsley is now projected to receive a three-year, $46 million contract. This decrease in market value could make him a more manageable option for the Cardinals, who may have been hesitant to pay his high price earlier in the year.
“Helsley, who was the longest tenured Cardinals player prior to the trade deadline, expressed interest in resigning with St. Louis in the offseason,” Wang wrote. “At the time of the trade, a reunion with Helsley seemed unlikely for a Cardinals team still in ‘rebuild’ mode going into 2026. After all, adding an expensive reliever on a multi-year contract would not be a wise use of assets for a team with low expectations for the upcoming season. However, now that Helsley’s value has decreased, he could be a perfect buy-low candidate who may have to settle for a shorter and cheaper contract to rebuild his once high value.”
A reunion with the Cardinals could potentially help Helsley regain his form. He was originally drafted by St. Louis in the fifth round of the 2015 Draft and spent the first six and a half seasons of his career with the team. Wang believes that this sense of familiarity could be beneficial for the 2024 National League Reliever of the Year.
