Possible Red Sox Target Says There’s ’90 Percent’ Chance He Gets Traded
A prominent name on the MLB hot stove expects to get moved within the week.
The St. Louis Cardinals remain on the precipice of playoff contention, but they’ve fallen to fourth in a competitive National League Central after losing seven of their last 10 games. Although they’re firmly in the playoff hunt at 53-51, they could trade a two-time All-Star on an expiring contract.
Observers remain unsure about the Cardinals’ deadline plans, but Ryan Helsley is preparing for a trade. The closer told The Athletic’s Katie Woo and Will Sammon that he’ll probably spend the next two months outside of St. Louis.
“I would say it’s 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay,” Helsley said.
That’s not wishful thinking on Helsley’s part. The 31-year-old would prefer to keep playing for the Cardinals, who drafted him 10 years ago.
“There are so many different scenarios you can do, but I want to stay here,” Helsley said. “I want to help us win here, with the Cardinals.”
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote last weekend that the Cardinals are “undecided” about trading their star relief pitcher. ESPN’s Jeff Passan previously matched Helsley as a deadline fit for the Boston Red Sox.
Helsley’s ERA has jumped over a run from last year’s 2.04 to 3.09 ERA in 2025. Yet he remains among MLB’s most dominant late-inning hurlers.
Since the start of 2022, Helsely has a 2.04 ERA and the third-highest WAR among relievers behind two other potential deadline movers, Emmanuel Clase and Griffin Jax. He’s tallied the fifth-most saves (102) with a 32.8 percent strikeout rate.
Relief pitching likely isn’t a top deadline priority for the Red Sox, who have already added Jordan Hicks and Jorge Alcala to a bullpen led by Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Greg Weissert. They’ll also hope to welcome back Justin Slaten from the injured list.
The Red Sox could devote more energy to acquiring a starting pitcher and first baseman, but Helsley may present an opportunity for another midseason upgrade.