The St. Louis Cardinals traded closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets at the 2025 deadline. See why the 55-55 club is shifting focus from this season to 2026.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The trade deadline has passed, and the smoke has cleared to reveal a St. Louis Cardinals team without its flame-throwing closer. The shocking-yet-not-so-shocking trade of Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets on July 31 marks the official end of an era in the bullpen and sends a clear message from the front office: the focus has shifted from this season's slim hopes to the blueprint for 2026.
At 55-55 and 10 games out of first, the Cardinals face a stark reality as they enter the final stretch of the season.
It's official: Ryan Helsley is a New York Met. The two-time All-Star, whose high-velocity fastballs electrified Busch Stadium, was dealt just before the deadline in a move that signals a clear pivot for the organization. While the full return package is still being analyzed, the departure of the team's most dominant reliever leaves a massive void at the back end of the bullpen. For a team struggling to find consistency, trading away a proven closer is a tough pill to swallow for fans, but it's a pragmatic move for a club looking to retool and build for the future.
Beyond the Helsley trade, the Cardinals remained conspicuously quiet at the deadline. National pundits didn't list them among the big winners or losers, largely because they didn't make the kind of aggressive moves many hoped for. The contrast is sharp, especially as they head into a series against the San Diego Padres, a team that went all-in by acquiring closer Mason Miller and other key pieces. The Cardinals' inaction, paired with the Helsley trade, suggests the front office saw the 10-game deficit in the NL Central and the team's .500 record as insurmountable obstacles for a 2025 playoff push.
The new-look Cardinals get their first test tonight at Petco Park. The challenge is immense. They face a Padres team (60-49) that is firing on all cylinders and just bolstered its roster. Matthew Liberatore (6-8, 4.04 ERA) gets the tough assignment against San Diego's Nick Pivetta, who has been stellar with a 10-3 record and 2.81 ERA. With the bullpen in flux, the Cards will need their offense, led by mainstays like Willson Contreras (.257 AVG, 14 HR) and the consistent Alec Burleson (.287 AVG), to step up and support Liberatore against one of the league's top teams.
As the Cardinals navigate the final two months of the season, the focus shifts from the standings to the depth chart. Who will seize the opportunity in the bullpen? Can the young core hitters take another step forward? The trade of Ryan Helsley wasn't just a transaction; it was the starting gun for the 2026 season. Tonight's game in San Diego is the first page of that new chapter.
