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The Los Angeles Dodgers spent big in the offseason to strengthen their bullpen, signing two All-Star closers. But halfway through the season, things still haven’t clicked, and their bullpen ranks outside the top 20 in Major League Baseball. With the trade deadline approaching, the team might try again — this time with Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Helsley, who leads the National League in saves, could be on the move. The Cardinals are slipping out of the Wild Card race, and he’s in the final year of his contract. Despite not being quite as dominant as in past years, Helsley still has a solid 3.18 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings, more than enough to catch the Dodgers’ attention.
CBS Sports writer Mike Axisa believes Helsley could be the Dodgers’ biggest pickup at the deadline. With Tanner Scott dealing with a forearm issue, Kirby Yates not impressing, and Blake Treinen still sidelined, the Dodgers are clearly in need of more reliable arms. Axisa also noted that the Cardinals could look to both sell and buy — trading Helsley while finding another long-term reliever to replace him.
Helsley is earning $8 million this season, a number the Dodgers can easily take on even with the luxury tax. With just over a week to go before the deadline, fans will soon find out if Helsley is headed to L.A. to try and shore up a struggling bullpen that still has World Series hopes.