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He’s not a perfect trade but he might be the Yankees’ ideal fit

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley pitches against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley pitches against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Jul 18, 2025 11:08 AM EDT

The Yankees have been linked to several relievers as the trade deadline approaches, but here’s a new one that makes more sense than a splash. In his second-half predictions column, SNY’s John Harper suggested the Yankees as a potential landing spot for the Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley.

It’s easy to dismiss the idea at first glance. St. Louis is still in the NL Wild Card race and Helsley leads the league with 32 saves. But a closer look reveals the fit.

Helsley’s fastball still touches 99 mph, but it’s been hittable this year. Opponents are slugging over .400 against it, and his command has been shaky. That’s a problem if you’re asking him to close every night. But Harper points out that if a team like the Yankees uses him in matchup-based situations, not exclusively the ninth inning, his elite slider becomes a real weapon. Opponents are hitting just .098 off it.

In other words, he’s not a classic closer right now, but he can still get big outs.

And the Yankees need high-leverage guys who can do exactly that. Even if Luke Weaver and Devin Williams find a rhythm in the second half, the bullpen has been stretched thin. Mark Leiter Jr. is out. Fernando Cruz is still sidelined. Jonathan Loaisiga has been inconsistent, and Luke Weaver has struggled since coming off the injured list.

Helsley, a free agent after this season, wouldn’t cost what David Bednar or Jhoan Duran would. That’s the kind of deal Brian Cashman may have to make with his farm system thin after years of dealing.

He may not be the Yankees’ closer in October, but Helsley could be the guy who gets the toughest outs in the seventh.

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Kristie Ackert

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