The Boston Red Sox are in a tight American League Wild Card race headed into the final two months of the regular season. With each passing series, the next one becomes increasingly more important. What’s also important is what moves Boston makes, if any, at the trade deadline, which is just four days away.
The Red Sox are 56-50 and have stumbled a bit out of the gate following the All-Star break, and many are calling for them to make a couple of additions that can provide much-needed support down the final stretch of the season. The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to sell a few of those pieces, and Boston should make some necessary calls.
Red Sox Land Ryan Helsley From Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to trade Ryan Helsley, and even Helsley himself has indicated that he would be shocked if he doesn’t move. The Boston Red Sox front office should make some calls with the Cardinals and see what it would take to acquire the flamethrowing right-hander. A backend of the bullpen that features Aroldis Chapman and Helsley would be lethal.
Helsley is on an expiring contract and set to be a free agent following the 2025 season. He’s put together another impressive season after a somewhat slow start. Helsley has a 3.00 ERA in 36 innings and 21 saves to go along with 41 strikeouts. In both 2022 and 2024, Helsley was named an All-Star, and he led MLB in saves with 49 last season. Bullpen help is so important at this time of year, and for the Red Sox, who constantly play in close games, adding Helsley could help them bridge that gap between the seventh, eighth, and then into the ninth inning.
This type of deal would likely cost the Red Sox some prospect capital, and maybe one of their current arms on the roster, but the addition of Helsley would be a greater addition than what they would be giving away. It might take a top-10 or so prospect. Another need for the Red Sox is starting pitching depth, which is another item on their wish list as the deadline nears.
Helsley Himself Expects to Be Traded
Helsley told Katie Woo, St. Louis Cardinals reporter, that the chance he gets traded is “as great as it’s ever been” and added that “It’s 90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay”.
Steve Adams of MLBtraderumors.com was also on the story:
“Helsley is earning $8.2MM in his final season of club control. The Cardinals could make him a qualifying offer and recoup a compensatory pick in the 2026 draft if he turns it down and signs elsewhere, though that would presume continued health and production from Helsley down the stretch. Neither is a guarantee. The most surefire way to extract some future value from the former All-Star is to trade him within the next week.”
With just four days left until July 31st, the Boston Red Sox are a team to watch for, as they certainly still have playoff aspirations, but could afford to make another addition or two in order to round out the roster.
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