Following their terrible start to 2025, the Philadelphia Phillies have lately developed a renewed appreciation for a strong bullpen. The production was replaced by some fresh faces, but this only served to cover up the fact that last year’s performance was less talented.
The calendar is still in April, and it seems ridiculous to continue using the existing bullpen arrangement throughout the year. The Phillies, who have won more than 90 games in the last two seasons, including a division title in 2024, require assistance or a significant alteration to change the character of late-inning games. It’s never too early to consider deals, and the Phillies already have one in their sights in St. Louis Cardinals star closer Ryan Helsley.
Cardinals’ star closer garnering early interest on trade market
Since entering the major leagues in 2019, Helsley, who is currently 30 years old, has served as the Cardinals’ closer. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Phillies are among the clubs already “keeping a close eye on” Helsley, who will likely be dealt by the Cardinals before this year’s trade deadline on July 31. Helsley will be a significant target for teams in the last year of arbitration. The time will be ideal for the Phillies to jump on a potential deal following the rumored interest, since the Cardinals have been attempting to reduce salary in recent years.
The Phillies possess the prospect capital necessary to make a deal. After disappointing fans with a dearth of the big-ticket acquisitions for which baseball operations president Dave Dombrowski was famous, they have enough of them. The Phillies will have an opportunity to flush out the high-leverage relievers they’ve been struggling with if Helsley is brought in.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the primary issue with the small list of names to rely on at the moment is that it leaves men like José Alvarado, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering to perform the heavy lifting night after night (subscription needed).
In the last three seasons, Helsley has placed in the top 12 of the Cy Young voting twice and has been named an All-Star twice. He had a 1.83 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 34.6 percent strikeout rate, and saved 82 games in 95 appearances between 2022 and 2024. Like he did with Jeff Hoffman, he could go straight into the closer position and let Phillies manager Rob Thomson ride the hot hand against deadly lineups.
According to Brooke Destra of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the bullpen has been the place where the floodgates have opened far too frequently this early in the season, despite the Phillies’ roster showing flaws. The Phillies now have consistency and another huge name to rely on in the bullpen thanks to Helsley. It also provides the club greater confidence in tighter games as the summer rolls on.
