MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles & Cardinals Linked To Trade

November 19, 2024 ,

Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated has linked the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals in a potential offseason trade centered on star closer Ryan Helsley, a deal that could address some weaknesses for both teams. 

The Orioles, despite back-to-back postseason appearances, struggled with bullpen depth in 2024, ranking 23rd in ERA (4.22). 

Félix Bautista’s season-long absence due to injury and Craig Kimbrel’s midseason release left the team vulnerable in critical moments, contributing to another early playoff exit. 

Helsley, who finished 2024 with a 2.04 ERA and an MLB-leading 49 saves, could provide Baltimore with the dominant bullpen piece they need to pair with Bautista for 2025.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, are focused on rebuilding after missing the playoffs and see Helsley as a prime trade chip to restock their farm system and reduce payroll. 

With Helsley projected to earn over $8 million in arbitration and set to hit free agency after 2025, McAvoy argues that now is the time for St. Louis to maximize his value. 

“The Cardinals want to trade Helsley and recoup prospects,” McAvoy writes, “while Baltimore needs to improve the bullpen and has a surplus of top-tier prospects. 

It almost makes too much sense.” The Orioles, boasting MLB’s best farm system, have the resources to meet St. Louis’s demands, potentially parting with two top-15 prospects in exchange for one of baseball’s elite closers.

A trade would serve both teams' interests perfectly. 

The Orioles would strengthen their bullpen for another postseason push, addressing a glaring weakness, while the Cardinals would accelerate their rebuild with high-upside talent. 

McAvoy concludes that “a deal between the orange and red birds could solve both teams’ problems fairly quickly.”

Photo Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images



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