Jul 13, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Yankees Pursuing Cardinals All-Star Reliever

Originally posted on New York Yankees on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The New York Yankees are among the many teams searching for bullpen help at the trade deadline, and MLB.com's Mark Feinsand has listed them among the top suitors for St. Louis Cardinals All-Star closer Ryan Helsley.

Ryan Helsley is one of the most popular trade targets with no less than a half-dozen teams interested to varying degrees. Among the suitors, per sources, are the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Blue Jays.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2025

The Yankees face stiff competition for the right-hander's services, however, as Feinsand also mentioned that the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays all have interest in Helsley to varying degrees.

Perhaps the best rental reliever available on the market, Helsley hasn't exactly been his dominant self in 2025. That isn't to say he's been ineffective, as he's still posted a well above-average 3.00 ERA with 10.25 strikeouts per nine innings and 21 saves across 36 outings, but he hasn't quite pitched at the same level as he did from 2022 to 2024.

Over that three-year stretch, Helsley was named an All-Star in 2022 and 2024 while also receiving NL Cy Young Award votes in each of those years and leading the league with 49 saves in the latter. Additionally, he racked up 7.2 bWAR during that period to go alongside a sparkling 1.83 ERA and 2.35 FIP with 12.1 strikeouts per nine over 167 2/3 innings.

The St. Louis Cardinals were a surprise playoff contender for a majority of the season, but with a 7-14 record in July that's dropped them 3 1/2 games back of a Wild Card spot, the organization seems to be shifting into sell mode at this year's deadline.

Helsley will cost a pretty in terms of prospect capital, but the Yankees desperately need high-end relievers. Their bullpen has posted the second-worst ERA of any unit in the league this month at 6.51, and if the club is serious about trying to contend this season, than landing an arm of Helsley's caliber would go a long way towards turning the tide in the Bronx.

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