Trade Winds Swirl as Phillies and Diamondbacks Target All-Star Closer Ryan Helsley
With the 2025 MLB season heating up and October ambitions growing stronger, both the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks are setting their sights on one mission: shoring up their shaky bullpens with an elite arm. And at the top of their wishlist? St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star and one of the most sought-after relievers on the trade market.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, both Philadelphia and Arizona have already expressed serious interest in Helsley, even with the trade deadline still months away. And for good reason — their bullpens are struggling, and Helsley could be the missing piece that transforms their postseason dreams into reality.
For the Phillies, bullpen meltdowns have become a recurring nightmare. Per FanGraphs, Philadelphia’s relievers rank dead last in opponent batting average (.277), 29th in ERA (5.46), and 28th in WHIP (1.55). The late innings have been nothing short of disastrous, with pitchers like Jordan Romano (13.58 ERA), Carlos Hernandez (7.20 ERA), Jose Ruiz (5.79 ERA), and Joe Ross (5.02 ERA) all contributing to the collapse.
Enter Ryan Helsley — a dominant right-hander who not only led MLB in saves last season but also took home the National League Reliever of the Year award. Armed with a 100+ mph fastball and proven postseason poise, Helsley owns a 3.60 ERA, .222 opponent batting average, and six saves already this season. With under two years of team control remaining, he offers both immediate impact and short-term stability.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are facing a bullpen crisis of their own. With A.J. Puk sidelined indefinitely due to an elbow injury, Arizona’s depth has been seriously compromised. Helsley would be an ideal replacement — a battle-tested closer capable of locking down high-leverage innings as the D-backs push toward another playoff run.
Of course, landing a pitcher of Helsley’s caliber won’t come cheap. The Cardinals, still weighing their direction this season, would command a premium prospect package in return. But with the stakes rising and postseason races tightening, both the Phillies and Diamondbacks may soon find themselves in a bidding war to lock down one of the most valuable arms available.
The clock may not be striking midnight on the trade deadline just yet — but the race for Ryan Helsley is already in full swing.