Cardinals Near Trade Deadline Sales Amid Wild Card Race

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a complex position, sitting close to the National League Wild Card but lacking a firm playoff foundation. The team has several valuable trade assets, including All-Star closer Ryan Helsley and pitcher Sonny Gray, although Gray's no-trade clause complicates potential moves. Helsley, the reigning NL Reliever of the Year, is widely predicted to be traded, possibly to the Los Angeles Dodgers, to help initiate a much-needed rebuild given the Cardinals' thin prospect pool, especially in pitching. Additionally, the Cardinals possess other trade candidates such as Nolan Arenado and Erick Fedde, with the team expected to leverage the seller's market to acquire future assets. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are also active players in trade talks, with a bold prediction involving a swap of All-Stars—outfielder Jarren Duran for closer Emmanuel Clase—highlighting their aim to strengthen their bullpen for a playoff push. These developments illustrate the strategic decisions teams must make as the deadline nears, balancing current competitiveness against long-term rebuilding plans.