Yankees trade talks: All-Star St. Louis closer to boost bullpen

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New York — The New York Yankees are turning their eyes to the Midwest as the bullpen took another hit — this time with the injury to right-hander Luke Weaver. According to multiple league insiders, the Yankees have internally discussed a trade framework that would send St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley to the Bronx in exchange for a package headlined by Will Warren, Roderick Arias, and Yerry De los Santos.

As New York continues its push for postseason dominance in 2025, bolstering the back end of the bullpen has become not just a luxury — but a necessity. With Devin Williams struggling to maintain consistency and Jonathan Loaisiga yet to make his presence felt, the Yankees are now seriously exploring a major deadline acquisition.

Ryan Helsley, a two-time All-Star, has emerged as one of the top relief arms likely to be moved — and the Yankees are positioned as an aggressive suitor. In the 2025 season, Helsley has posted a 3.00 ERA, 13 saves, and 23 strikeouts over 21 innings. His fastball velocity averages 98.7 mph, and he maintains a hard-hit rate of 47.4%, indicating his effectiveness in high-leverage situations.

Helsley’s postseason experience and control through the 2026 season make him an attractive option for the Yankees, who are looking to solidify their bullpen for a deep playoff run.

Weaver injury accelerates Yankees’ urgency

The Yankees’ bullpen depth took a significant hit when closer Luke Weaver sustained a hamstring injury during warmups on June 1 against the Dodgers. An MRI confirmed the injury, sidelining him for an estimated four to six weeks. Weaver had been exceptional this season, recording a 1.05 ERA, 0.701 WHIP, and eight saves over 25⅔ innings.

More critically, without Weaver, the Yankees are now lacking both multi-inning depth and late-inning certainty.

With Weaver out, the Yankees are turning back to Devin Williams, who had a rocky start to the season but has shown improvement recently. Since May 7, Williams has pitched scoreless outings in 10 of 11 appearances, with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings and only two walks. However, the bullpen remains under pressure, especially with other key relievers like Tim Hill, Ian Hamilton, and Mark Leiter Jr. managing their workloads. Fernando Cruz is set to return from injury.

That leaves a clear void: a dominant, reliable closer to lock down ninth innings in October.

Why Ryan Helsley is the perfect fit

Enter Ryan Helsley, whose 2025 numbers once again rank among the elite in baseball. Through 25 innings this season, Helsley has logged a 1.79 ERA with a 13.4 K/9 and a WHIP under 1.00. His fastball routinely touches triple digits, and he has converted 16 of 17 save opportunities despite pitching in a struggling Cardinals environment.

Helsley isn’t just a short-term fix. He remains under club control through the 2026 season, giving the Yankees two potential playoff runs with him anchoring the bullpen. More importantly, Helsley brings postseason experience and a temperament suited for New York’s spotlight.

This move would provide the Yankees with the flexibility to deploy Williams, Hamilton, Hill, and Cruz in setup roles — a bullpen alignment that would elevate the Yankees into one of the most feared late-inning teams in the AL.

Why the Cardinals might be ready to deal

At 25-32 and sliding fast in the NL Central, the Cardinals face a difficult truth: this is not a contending year. Injuries to an aging core have stalled the team’s momentum. And with Helsley just one year away from free agency, now may be the optimal time to move him while his value is at its peak.

The Athletic’s Katie Woo recently noted, “There’s a growing sense within the industry that St. Louis may look to cash in on Helsley at the deadline, especially if the team doesn’t climb out of its current slide.”

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports echoed that sentiment, stating on a recent broadcast, “If you’re the Cardinals, you have to think hard about Helsley. He’s one of your best trade chips, and elite relievers are commanding serious returns right now.”

Even Jon Heyman of the New York Post weighed in, reporting, “Teams have asked about Ryan Helsley. While St. Louis isn’t openly shopping him, they’re listening. His name is very much on the radar.”

St. Louis has younger bullpen arms emerging — notably JoJo Romero and Ryan Fernandez — and could view this as an opportunity to retool around cost-controlled talent. They’re not heading for a complete rebuild, but this is a chance to offload an elite reliever and restock a farm system that has thinned in recent years.

Why giving up Will Warren and top prospects makes sense

For the Yankees, acquiring elite talent will always come with a cost. In this case, that cost starts with Will Warren, the club’s No. 8 prospect who’s already seen Triple-A success. Warren projects as a mid-rotation starter or long reliever, but the Yankees’ crowded rotation picture makes him expendable — especially with Luis Gil’s return looming and minor leaguers, such as Clayton Beeter and Cam Schlittler, are making a case for the MLB level.

Adding Roderick Arias, the high-ceiling shortstop with international pedigree, gives the Cardinals a developmental prize. Arias is still years away but possesses plus tools across the board and remains one of the highest-upside teenagers in the system.

Yerry De los Santos, meanwhile, has shown enough in limited MLB stints (3.00 ERA and 1.917 WHIP in 10 games) to project as a quality bullpen piece — and could help replace Helsley directly in St. Louis’s bullpen this summer.

Together, these three form a compelling mix of near-MLB-ready talent and long-term upside — precisely the sort of package a reliever like Helsley warrants.

A win-win framework for both teams

From a baseball operations standpoint, this trade would check boxes for both franchises.

The Yankees would get the lockdown closer they desperately need without mortgaging their top-tier talent. They retain top prospects like Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. while fortifying a bullpen that has shown cracks in the season’s first half.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, would convert an expiring asset into two pitchers who could pitch in the big leagues by August and a long-term shortstop to mold in the minors. They could gain roster flexibility, save on Helsley’s rising arbitration salary, and lay groundwork for a more competitive 2026 and beyond.

The Yankees-Cardinals trade possibility

While nothing is finalized, the Yankees’ interest in Helsley is real, and the injury to Weaver only underscores the urgency to act. Brian Cashman has shown a history of dealing boldly at the deadline when the team senses a championship window. Helsley could be this year’s version of that move — one that helps close out October games and possibly closes out a championship drought that dates back to 2009.

The cost will be steep. But with Helsley’s elite stuff, postseason presence, and years of control, it’s a price the Yankees might finally be willing to pay.

Will the Yankees pull the trigger before Helsley’s value skyrockets?

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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