The St. Louis Cardinals’ longest-tenured player is none other than All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. Helsley, 30, was selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and is in his eleventh season with the team. Helsley is the longest-tenured player on the roster.
Helsley was a top trade candidate this winter because to his All-Star participation and league-leading 49 saves in 2024. He is on an expiring contract, meaning he will become a free agency following the 2025 season. With the Cardinals not actively trying to compete, Helsley’s higher compensation through arbitration did not align with what ownership intended to do this winter.
However, the Cardinals and President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak decided to keep Ryan Helsley as their closer for the time being. Mozeliak stated this emphatically in early December. “It’s something we will always remain open-minded to, but our plan is to have him be part of our organization.” This comment came after Mozeliak called Helsley’s agents at Wasserman to inform them that the right-handed fireballer was not going anywhere.
So, how does a non-contending team handle one of baseball’s top relievers during a “transition” season? Maybe an expansion is in order. At the very least, Ryan Helsley would be open to one.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Ryan Helsley are not on the same page when it comes to extension talks.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Helsley is more than willing to accept a multi-year contract to continue with the Cards. “I’d love to stay here.” Cardinals baseball is synonymous with winning, therefore they are unlikely to aspire to stay ordinary or below average for long. Hopefully, I can pitch at a high level for another four or five years.”
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are less forthcoming about their desire to retain their experienced closer in place indefinitely. Chaim Bloom will succeed longtime POBO John Mozeliak following this year. This winter, the Cardinals will also lose some high-priced veterans to free agency. A clean salary and roster will allow Bloom to put his own stamp on the organization. Helsley might be kept in the bullpen to provide stability. He may also choose to put a young pitcher like Tink Hence, Gordon Graceffo, or perhaps Ryan Fernandez in the closer role for a much lower price.
Helsley himself acknowledged that conversations regarding an extension have not yet begun. “With changes in leadership coming up, I feel like they’ve probably just decided to keep this as is and see what happens,” said Helsley. “Maybe at the end of the season there will be something, but as of right now there’s been nothing.”
An extension for Helsley would be challenging. He’s entering his 30th season and has established himself as a reliever. Contracts granted to former free agent relievers such as Josh Hader of the Houston Astros and Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets would be good high-end points on an extension. The extension granted to Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians would be a low-end figure given that Clase had numerous arbitration years purchased.
Josh Jacobs, the site editor of Redbird Rants, offered a five-year, $75 million deal that may be extended to six years and $92 million if a mutual option is taken in 2030. Josh’s proposal included a buyout for Helsley’s final arbitration year in 2025. Since Helsley and the Cardinals agreed on a one-year, $8.2 million compensation for 2025, the figures in Josh’s plan would have to be changed slightly. Regardless, this is a fine starting point for an extension.
If Ryan Helsley’s contract extends beyond 2025, the team should consider transitioning him back to a starting pitcher. Helsley was a minor league starting pitcher from 2015 to 2017, with an ERA of less than 2.72 and batters hitting just.221 with a 582 OPS. Adding a third pitch, such as a curveball, would greatly benefit Helsley as a starter.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Ryan Helsley are at odds over a contract extension beyond 2025. However, keeping the club’s longest-tenured member on the team for the long term has numerous advantages for both Helsley and the organization. He might develop into a savvy veteran for young players as they progress through the system, and he could eventually join the ranks of multiple Cardinals legends.
