Cardinals’ Youth Movement on Display with New Trade Acquisitions

As the St. Louis Cardinals navigate the final stretch of the 2025 season, the focus has shifted to the future. A mid-season slump and a tough July pushed the front office to become sellers at the trade deadline. The Cardinals parted ways with three key relievers. Closer Ryan Helsley, setup man Phil Maton, and left-hander Steven Matz. In exchange, they received a modest return of prospects. While the big league club’s immediate performance has been a mixed bag since the deals. The real story is unfolding in the minors, where the new acquisitions are beginning to make their mark.

Cardinals Receive Two Prospects in Helsley Deal

The most notable of the trades was the one that sent All-Star closer Helsley to the New York Mets. Helsley, a dominant arm at the back end of the bullpen, brought back a decent return, headlined by power-hitting infielder Jesus Baez and right-handed pitcher Nate Dohm. For many fans, the initial reaction was disappointment, but it will be a while before this trade can truly be judged.

The 20-year-old Baez was the centerpiece of the Helsley deal. He was a highly-regarded prospect in the Mets’ system. Known for his raw power and a solid hit tool. The young slugger has the potential to be a future middle-of-the-order bat. Undoubtedly, he’s the type of prospect the Cardinals would like to add more of to their farm system.

Baez and Dohm Assigned to Peoria

Currently, Baez is playing at High-A Peoria, where his performance hasn’t been dominant to start but has shown promise. There have been flashes of the immense power that made him so attractive to the Cardinals’ front office. He has shown the ability to hit for extra bases and drive in runs, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be. The organization sees him as a long-term solution, likely at third base given the presence of Masyn Winn and the emergence of other middle infield prospects. His development will be a key storyline for the Cardinals moving forward.

Joining Baez from the Mets organization is Nate Dohm, a right-handed pitcher who has also impressed since the trade. Dohm, who was ranked as a top-15 prospect in the Mets’ system, has a strong fastball and a good arsenal of secondary pitches. He’s been assigned to the Cardinals’ High-A affiliate and has been dominant in his most of his appearances. He has shown excellent command and the ability to miss bats. His performance is a pleasant surprise and should give a little hope to those who aren’t impressed with the return for their All-Star closer. The early returns on Dohm suggest he has the potential to be a high-leverage reliever or even a back-end starter in the future.

Cardinals Add Long-Time Target Blaze Jordan

Another significant trade saw the Cardinals send Matz to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Blaze Jordan. Jordan is a name that has been on the Cardinals’ radar for years, and the team finally landed him. Known for his prodigious power, Jordan has been a slugging force at the Minor League level.

Since joining the Cardinals organization, he has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis, where he has continued to flash his power. While his defense and overall hitting have been noted as needing improvement, his bat is his calling card. He has a .488 slugging percentage this season with 14 home runs, and the Cardinals are banking on his power translating to the major leagues. He is seen as a potential long-term option at first base. His progress at Triple-A will be closely monitored as he gets closer to a potential MLB debut.