The Baltimore Orioles have made significant strides in recent years, but to no avail. In both 2023 and 2024, the Orioles entered the postseason and were quickly eliminated. With Corbin Burnes likely to go, it appears they will need to retool before returning next season.
The Orioles have had some concerns about their bullpen. Their great closer Felix Bautista missed the whole 2024 season due to an elbow injury, and his replacement, Craig Kimbrel, underperformed and was later DFA’d. Baltimore concluded the season with a bullpen ERA of 4.22. At the deadline, they traded for Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez to bolster their ailing relief corps. However, without any significant progress, the struggle remained.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis, the Cardinals are rebuilding after missing the postseason. Fortunately, there is a solution that can help the Cardinals rebuild while also providing the Orioles with an ideal relief arm.
A Ryan Helsley trade could solve both Cardinals and Orioles’ problems
Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated offered this trade idea:
“The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for ways to improve their farm system and lower payroll. There are a handful of ways to do this, but it seems like one of the easiest would be to trade star closer Ryan Helsley… It seems like he is one of the more likely players to be moved by the Cardinals this winter and one team they should call is the Baltimore Orioles.”
Ryan Helsley concluded the 2024 season with an amazing 2.04 ERA and an MLB-high 49 saves in 66.1 innings. Next season, a one-two punch of Bautista and Helsley would provide a lockdown bullpen that any postseason club would struggle to overcome. For the Cardinals, there is an equally intriguing benefit. McAvoy proceeded with this:
“It doesn’t hurt that the Orioles have the best farm system in baseball as well,” McAvoy noted in an email. “Baltimore needs to upgrade its bullpen and has an abundance of top-tier prospects. The Cardinals want to trade Helsley and regain their prospects. It almost makes too much sense.
Indeed, the Orioles have a large number of prospects to pick from. Helsley, while being one of the top relievers in the game, will become a free agent after 2025, making a return deal impossible to determine. As McAvoy mentions:
“It’s unclear who the Orioles would be willing to give up, but a trade involving Helsley for two of Baltimore’s top 15 prospects could be an interesting starting point in discussions.”
A deal between the orange and red birds might probably address both teams’ concerns quite soon. There are other potential suitors for Helsley, but the Orioles may be the best option for the Cardinals to meet their demands.
