MLB Rumors: Team ‘Undecided’ About Trading Possible Red Sox Target

Uncertainty remains over which premier relief pitchers could be available for the Boston Red Sox to chase before MLB’s trade deadline.

Big-name relievers such as Emmanuel Clase and Jhoan Duran have frequently populated the hot stove, but they may all stay put beyond July 31. Ryan Helsley is another top reliever on a fringe contender.

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.

The Cardinals “remain undecided” on whether to shop Helsley before the deadline, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. They “may have no choice” but to trade the pending free agent because they don’t intend to extend him a qualifying offer this offseason.

Nightengale said at least five teams have expressed interest in Helsley. It’s unclear if that includes the Red Sox.

The 51-48 Cardinals are 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, so they may not want to deal Helsley. Yet they’re fourth in the National League Central and sixth in the NL wild-card standings after losing 10 of their last 14 games.

Helsey made his second All-Star Game last season en route to recording a 2.04 ERA and MLB-leading 49 saves. The 31-year-old hasn’t maintained that level of dominance, registering a 3.27 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 33 innings this season.

Helsley would nevertheless represent a significant upgrade for any contender’s bullpen. He could form a lethal late-inning tandem alongside Aroldis Chapman, allowing Alex Cora the option to deploy his resurgent closer against a dangerous left-handed hitter before the ninth inning.