The New York Mets are finalizing a trade to acquire St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, promising to bolster their bullpen further after recent strategic pickups. The deal, as reported by Jon Heyman of The New York Post, will see the Mets send infield prospect Jesus Baez and two additional minor leaguers, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, to the Cardinals.
Helsley, known for his impressive fastball averaging over 99 MPH, has established himself as a reliable reliever, evidenced by his solid 3.00 earned run average (ERA) across 36 innings this season. While he has faced challenges with opponents batting .406 against his fastball, his formidable slider has seen more success, limiting hitters significantly. His ability to strike out 26.1% of batters faced, along with a notable 16.1% swinging strike rate, further highlights his prowess on the mound.
This marks Helsley’s fourth consecutive season of strong performance, having taken on the closing role since 2022. In that time, he has successfully converted 103 of 121 save opportunities. Despite a slower start to this season, he rallied with a 2.77 ERA and impressive strikeout and walk rates since May 1, showcasing his ability to bounce back effectively.
The Mets are actively seeking to enhance their bullpen, having already secured hard-throwing left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto from Baltimore and submariner Tyler Rogers from the Giants earlier in the week. With the acquisition of Helsley, New York is adding another potent arm to the late innings, underlining their commitment to strengthening their roster as the season progresses.
This positive development for the Mets signals a proactive approach to solidifying their pitching staff, further increasing their competitiveness as they aim for a successful postseason run.