The St. Louis Cardinals came into the season with the expectation they would be rebuilding and selling at the trade deadline, but the roster has overachieved and put the front office in a weird spot.
The Cardinals could sell on players like Erick Fedde and Ryan Helsley, but the fan base might not enjoy the front office destroying the roster while the team is contending. Helsley remains the most intriguing trade chip this month, as he has the most trade value among all Cardinals veterans.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported the Cardinals are still undecided on whether they will trade Helsley at the deadline.
“The St. Louis Cardinals remain undecided whether they will trade closer Ryan Helsley at the deadline, but since they don’t plan to tender him a qualifying offer, they realize they may have no choice but to move him with at least five contenders showing interest,” Nightengale wrote.
While Nightengale notes that at least five contenders are showing interest in Helsley, this number would likely reach double digits if the Cardinals openly shopped him.
St. Louis has the chance to use him as the best reliever on the trade market, which would almost certainly return quite the haul of prospects and/or big league talent in return.
While the decision as to whether the Cardinals should trade him is a tough one, it seems like cutting ties with the flamethrower makes the most sense.
The Cardinals are expected to lose him in free agency, considering Spotrac projects Helsley to sign for $81 million when his deal expires at the end of the year.
Holding onto him, not offering a qualifying offer, and letting him loose in free agency would be a horrendous mistake from the Cardinals.
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