‘Realistic’ trade idea brings MLB saves leader to Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies snagged their first playoff win this season in dramatic fashion, as slugger Nick Castellanos hit a walkoff against the New York Mets.

That win tied the National League Division Series after the Phillies’ bullpen gave up six runs in the final two innings of the first game.

But a “realistic” offseason trade idea proposed by Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly would reinforce that bullpen in a big way before next year, with the Phillies trading for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

“The Phillies are a team with a bunch of veterans under contract, so if they have a disappointing postseason exit, it may be difficult to make a ton of changes to the roster entering 2025,” Kelly noted. “One area to potentially target is closer.”

The Phillies entered 2024 with a “closer by committee” approach, with Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and José Alvarado all playing important relief roles. Just before the trade deadline, they acquired Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estevez, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

If they are able to swing a deal for Helsley, though, he’d come into 2025 as the anointed closer.

This season, the 30-year-old has maintained a 2.04 ERA in 62 games finished while racking up 49 total saves — the most of any player in Major League Baseball this season. He is set for one more season of arbitration before becoming an unrestricted free agent for 2026.

Making a potential trade more likely is the fact that the Cardinals seem unlikely to contend next season and might not have much need for an elite closer in his final year before his free agency. The Phillies might swap a promising hitter in exchange.

“As noted previously, the Cardinals appear likely to cut costs this offseason,” Kelly added. “The Cardinals could shed (Helsley’s contract) and bring back a notable prospect, such as outfielder Justin Crawford. It’s also possible the Cardinals would consider Alec Bohm or Bryston Stott if the Phillies don’t value them as much as they did a year ago.”

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