The St. Louis Cardinals are finally beginning their rebuild, though they may be starting a bit later than others. Nonetheless, they’ve made the decision to part ways with several veteran players in order to focus on building a younger roster for success in 2026, 2027, and beyond. As part of this process, they could trade fan favorites like Ryan Helsley and Nolan Arenado. Helsley, in particular, is the most likely to be moved, given the competitive nature of the reliever market, especially once the top closers sign in free agency. If the Cardinals trade Helsley after those deals are made, they could secure a significant return.

The Toronto Blue Jays are an ideal destination for Ryan Helsley, and here’s how a potential trade could unfold:

This deal would be a two-part transaction. The centerpiece is, of course, Helsley, but to reduce the prospect cost for Toronto, the Blue Jays would also take on the contract of Miles Mikolas, who has a burdensome deal. The Cardinals would cover about half of Mikolas’ remaining salary in this trade. Toronto would have the option to either release Mikolas (which is likely) or use him as their fifth starter.

By including Mikolas as a salary dump, the trade’s value is lowered, making it possible for the Blue Jays to send two top-10 prospects to St. Louis in exchange for Helsley. The prospects heading to the Cardinals would be left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann and utility player Charles McAdoo.

Ricky Tiedemann, 22, is nearly major-league-ready. The 6-foot-4 left-hander boasts three above-average pitches and could be a candidate to debut in St. Louis within the next year or two if this trade happens. With the departures of Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn, the Cardinals are also exploring trades involving Miles Mikolas and Sonny Gray. Trading Mikolas for Tiedemann would help the Cardinals get younger, as they would replace Mikolas with the promising lefty.

Charles McAdoo, also 22, had an impressive season last year, hitting .279/.364/.479 across two levels in the minors. A highly skilled prospect, McAdoo offers defensive versatility, allowing him to play multiple positions, making him an attractive option for the Cardinals to deploy wherever they need him.

Toronto strengthens its thinning bullpen by adding a star closer, a move that could serve as a catalyst for a major 2025 season. It’s an ideal decision for the Blue Jays, who may face competition from the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Yankees in their pursuit of Helsley, making this a crucial addition on several fronts.