There has been much trade speculation with the deadline sitting just a few weeks away now, and one of the big names predicted to be moving teams is St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

But with Helsley's performance in 2025, will that still allow teams to be interested in the reigning NL Reliever of the Year?

Helsley is currently 18-for-23 in save attempts in 2025, with an ERA of 3.38, much higher than the flamethrower is used to. 

However, MLB.com's John Denton believes his overall career success could still very much make him a benefit on a team. 

"Helsley is the Cardinals' longest tenured player, having been in the organization since 2015, when he was the 161st overall pick of that year's draft," Denton wrote. "However, his past success, his expiring contract, and his hopes to command a salary equivalent to that of Astros closer Josh Hader and Mets closer Edwin Diaz, could make him expendable."

Helsley, along with his AL counterpart that won Reliever of the Year, Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, have both seen a drop off in production in 2025 since their career years last year, with Clase already allowing the amount of earned runs he allowed all of last year in just a little over a month into the 2025 season. 

But with Helsley still reliable and the Cardinals still holding strong as Wild Card contenders as we reach the All-Star break, who knows where the closer could be dealt, despite Helsley being on record with saying he wanted to stay in St. Louis. 

We'll see how loyal he stays should the Los Angeles Dodgers or any other certified playoff contender show interest in the hot-handed righty.