The Los Angeles Dodgers once again find themselves with the most injury-plagued pitching staff in Major League Baseball.
It’s not just the starting rotation that’s taken a hit—several of LA’s top-tier relievers are also sidelined, casting uncertainty over who will be available when the postseason rolls around.
Because of that, if the Dodgers stay true to their usual trade deadline aggressiveness, adding a proven high-leverage reliever will likely be one of their top priorities.
One baseball analyst believes the St. Louis Cardinals could offer an ideal solution.
On Monday, Zach Pressnell of Cardinals on SI identified Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley—a two-time All-Star and soon-to-be free agent—as the perfect trade target for Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles should go get Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley and it shouldn’t wait any longer to do so,” Pressnell stated.
“Helsley has looked like a logical fit for the Dodgers for quite some time, yet a trade has yet to materialize. Meanwhile, LA continues to lose arms to the injured list, making their need for a reliable late-inning reliever even more urgent with each passing day.”
Though Helsley — the 2024 National League Reliever of the Year — hasn’t matched his past dominance this season, posting a 3.96 ERA and converting just 13 of 18 save opportunities, he’s still firing 100 mph fastballs and could thrive as a setup option for a contending team if he’s no longer closing at an elite level.
Whether a trade happens before the deadline remains uncertain. Teams tend to maximize returns when multiple suitors are involved, but Helsley appears to be a strong candidate to be dealt — and the Dodgers remain a top contender to land him.
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