Cardinals' Ryan Helsey's trade market 'moving quickly' according to insider

With a little over 48 hours until the MLB trade deadline, the St. Louis Cardinals' top trade asset, closer Ryan Helsley, is drawing significant interest. But, after a new report, the potential for a Helsley deal looks even greater than before.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Cardinals' trade market for Helsley is "moving quickly," and a deal could come to fruition before the MLB trade deadline comes on Thursday, July 31st.

The reliever market led specifically by David Bednar #Pirates and Ryan Helsley #Cardinals is moving quickly all of a sudden today with #Phillies#Mets#Dodgers#Tigers#Mariners#Rangers all in play...both could get moved prior to Thursday trade deadline day now.

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) July 29, 2025

"The reliever market, led specifically by David Bednar #Pirates and Ryan Helsley #Cardinals, is moving quickly all of a sudden today with #Phillies, #Mets, #Dodgers, #Tigers, #Mariners, and #Rangers all in play..." Bowden reports, "both could get moved prior to Thursday trade deadline day now."

This update on the Cardinals' trade deadline talks with Helsley is an important one. Not only are the Cardinals looking to deal the veteran closer, but the trade talks surrounding him are heating up.

Helsley, in year seven with the Cardinals, has been having another strong season. He has a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings pitched with 21 saves and 41 strikeouts. His production has led to a 139 ERA+, a strong season for the 31-year-old closer.

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The right-hander is coming off an incredible 2024 season where he led MLB in saves with 49 and had a 2.04 ERA in 66.1 innings pitched with 79 strikeouts in his second All-Star season. He also cracked the top ten in Cy Young voting in 2024.

The two-time All-Star will be a free agent after the season's over, and is one of the three relievers on the Cardinals who are top rental options at the deadline. Phil Maton and Steven Matz could also be on the move, as could lefty JoJo Romero.

St. Louis is expected to trade Helsley at the deadline, and this report from Bowden indicates that a potential trade could materialize faster than some of the other top trade targets at the deadline.

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