Cardinals Expected to Trade $81M Closer Helsley Before MLB Deadline

The St. Louis Cardinals, while currently in the hunt for a Wild Card playoff spot, are expected to shift towards selling key players ahead of the MLB trade deadline due to their July slump and uncertain postseason prospects. Their top trade asset is star closer Ryan Helsley, projected to sign an $81 million free-agent deal, making his trade highly likely to avoid losing him for minimal return. Alongside Helsley, the Cardinals are entertaining offers for starting pitcher Sonny Gray and third baseman Nolan Arenado, although Arenado's no-trade clause complicates potential deals. Utility player Brendan Donovan has also attracted trade interest, notably from the Los Angeles Dodgers, though the Cardinals are cautious about trading their top young position players. The front office, led by John Mozeliak, is actively gauging interest in several players, signaling a potential rebuild focus, as the current roster is not deemed ready for a deep postseason run. Trading Helsley and others could yield a significant prospect haul to accelerate the team's timeline for contention.