This summer, every contender’s bullpen plan is the same: create a lockdown arm to stop late-inning drama. The trade deadline on July 31 is coming up, and rumors about this Cardinal flame-thrower have grown into full-blown pre-trade talk. He is one of the top choices on the trade prospect list of the Dodgers and the Yankees.
Signed for $8.2 million through 2025, this closer provides a cost-effective advantage without overspending. He is currently the center of attention in the trade talks. And the most recent inside information might shake up the Yankees and the Dodgers.
The pitcher in the discussion is Ryan Helsley. In a candid conversation on the Foul Territory, MLB insider Katie Woo was asked about all the trade they will let him go or not. She said, “If the Cardinals think that they can still contend and still compete in the second half and again sneak into that wild card, they’re not going to move him.”
Ryan Helsley isn’t going anywhere at the trade deadline if the Cardinals believe they can still contend, says @KatieJWoo. pic.twitter.com/J6ztVGIxL8
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 21, 2025
So, where exactly do the Cardinals stand? They are currently 52-49, which puts them on the edge of the wild-card scene. Does St. Louis think it has a chance to make the playoffs? If so, Helsley stays. If not, they might “move him,” as Woo said.
Helsley’s numbers for this season have been mixed, with 19 saves, a 3.27 ERA, and a 24.8% strikeout rate—lower than his 2024 performance. His fastball still nears 100 mph, but his hard-hit rate has risen to the mid-40s, and he has allowed four home runs, exceeding projections. Still, he has potential when he is on point, as Woo mentioned. “Just because Ryan Helsley is not as dominant as he was last year doesn’t mean that his value has completely tanked.”
As Woo added, “Any contending team is looking for high-leverage, high-octane relief pitching at the deadline.” And if you think about it, she is right since both the Dodgers and the Yankees are showing potential interest in him.
We know how depleted the Dodgers’ bullpen is due to the injured list. And Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that injuries to Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen have left large openings, and L.A. “has inquired on Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.” It’s simple: they need help in the bullpen, and Helsley would be a good fit.
The Dodgers aren’t the only ones, though. ESPN experts Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel say that the Yankees would be a great fit for Helsley. With his playoff experience, Helsley could be the missing piece in the Yankees’ bullpen puzzle.
This is where things become very interesting. What if the Cardinals choose to keep their closer? Then the Dodgers and the Yankees might have to look for other options. And well, they have got eyes on a few.
Deadline watch: Yankees chase Mitch Keller while Dodgers hunt A’s shutdown arm
Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that the Yankees are “gaining steam” in their search for Pirates starter Mitch Keller. His name is most often linked to the Bronx, and it’s evident that things are moving in that direction. Keller has a good 3.48 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 20 starts this season. He is 29 years old and has team control through 2028 because of a long-term agreement.
July 8, 2025: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller 23 warms up before the bottom of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. /CSM Kansas City United States of America – ZUMAc04_ 20250708_zma_c04_098 Copyright: xDavidxSmithx
His durability is a big selling point. Since 2018, he’s only been on the IL once and has pitched 119 innings this year alone. Keller is reliable and adaptable in different game scenarios. If not Helsley, the Yankees might go for him.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are on the West Coast, are looking at the A’s arm, Mason Miller. Ken Rosenthal says that the Dodgers “almost certainly would be in the mix” for Miller. He could be another flame-throwing bullpen arm they might go for. Miller is a good target because he has elite velocity (averaging 101 mph) and club control through 2029.
In short, Keller is the NYY’s way of getting more depth in the rotation. Similarly, Miller would provide the Dodgers with more help in the bullpen when it matters most. As July 31 gets closer, both teams will make big moves. Now it can be Keller, Miller, or Helsley. Anything is possible.
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