The St. Louis Cardinals seem less inclined to trade Ryan Helsley than they were earlier in the offseason, but with spring training fast approaching, new rumors have emerged. According to John Denton of MLB.com, both the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks are showing strong interest in the hard-throwing reliever.
While the consensus at the end of 2024 was that the Cardinals would likely hold onto Helsley until at least the trade deadline, this recent development suggests that a trade could still happen before the season begins. Although it’s becoming clear that Helsley might not be available until later in the year, the situation is still fluid.
When it comes to a potential trade partner, the Blue Jays might be the more compelling option. Toronto has a deep farm system, especially after sending Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros last year. With several MLB-ready position players in their system, the Blue Jays could offer the Cardinals more immediate help, a key area where the Cardinals’ own farm system is lacking.
One potential target for the Cardinals could be Will Wagner, a versatile infielder who can play three positions. While he doesn’t hit for much power, Wagner has a solid batting average, posting a .305 mark in 24 games with the Blue Jays last season and a .315 average in the minors. Another intriguing option could be pitcher Jake Bloss, who has promise but would need further development.
On the other hand, Arizona has strong prospects like Jordan Lawlar and Druw Jones, but the Cardinals are unlikely to land either of those top-tier players in a Helsley trade. While the Diamondbacks have good depth in their system, many of their position-player prospects aren’t expected to be MLB-ready until at least 2026. This makes the Blue Jays a more attractive trade partner, given their MLB-ready talent and a deeper pool of prospects that could potentially fit the Cardinals’ needs.
However, Arizona’s No. 6 prospect, Yilber Diaz, could be a potential trade piece. Diaz posted a 3.81 ERA in the minors last season, and his inclusion could be part of a package the Cardinals find appealing. Despite this, the Blue Jays’ stronger farm system may still put them ahead in the race for Helsley.
After seeing the Brewers receive a relatively underwhelming return for Devin Williams, there’s a case to be made for the Cardinals holding onto Helsley until the trade deadline, when relief pitchers on expiring contracts often fetch a higher price. While the market is still developing, if the Cardinals decide to trade Helsley before spring training, the Blue Jays are likely the more favorable option.