Mets Acquire Ryan Helsley in Deadline Deal
Mets Land Cardinals Closer Ryan Helsley in Blockbuster Trade Deadline Deal, Sending Three Prospects to St. Louis
In a seismic move to fortify their playoff push, the New York Mets acquired two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals late Wednesday night. The deal, finalized just hours before the July 31 MLB trade deadline, sent infield prospect Jesus Baez (No. 8 in Mets system) and right-handed pitching prospects Nate Dohm (No. 14) and Frank Elissalt to St. Louis in exchange for the flame-throwing reliever .
The Ryan Helsley trade marks the second major bullpen acquisition by Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns in less than 24 hours, following the earlier deal for Giants submariner Tyler Rogers. These aggressive moves signal New York’s all-in approach to capitalize on a core featuring Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo—all healthy and in their primes .
The Trade Package: Breaking Down the Prospects
- Jesus Baez (SS/3B, 20 years old): The headliner of the return for St. Louis, Baez is a right-handed hitter with plus raw power (60-grade) and bat speed. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, he was the Mets’ Dominican Summer League Player of the Year in 2023. Currently at High-A Brooklyn, he’s slashing .242/.332/.390 with 10 HRs in 69 games. Scouts praise his contact skills but express concerns about his plate discipline and ultimate defensive home (likely third base) .
- Nate Dohm (RHP, 22 years old): A third-round pick in 2024 out of Mississippi State, Dohm features a potential plus fastball and has posted a 2.87 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 62.2 innings across Class-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn this season. Durability concerns due to past forearm injuries linger, leading some evaluators to project him as a future reliever .
- Frank Elissalt (RHP, 23 years old): A 19th-round pick in 2024, Elissalt was not ranked in the Mets’ top 30 prospects. Pitching primarily in relief at Class-A St. Lucie, he owns a 3.04 ERA and a strong 29% strikeout rate in 56.2 innings. His profile suggests a future middle reliever if his command improves .
Helsley’s Impact: Supercharging the Mets Bullpen
Ryan Helsley brings elite velocity and a proven track record to Queens. His fastball averages a blistering 99.4 mph (7th highest in MLB), complemented by a devastating slider. Though slightly less dominant than his record-setting 2024 campaign (49 saves, NL Trevor Hoffman Award), he still owns a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 2025, with an excellent 26.1% strikeout rate and 16.1% swinging-strike rate .
The Mets trade strategy focused on acquiring high-end rentals to address a bullpen that ranked 17th in ERA since May. Helsley won’t replace Edwin Díaz as closer; instead, he forms a lethal setup trio alongside Rogers and Reed Garrett. This gives manager Carlos Mendoza multiple high-leverage looks (power, submarine, ground-ball specialist) to navigate late innings .
“Bullpens win championships,” setup man Ryne Stanek remarked after the trades. “That’s what matters.” .
Why the Cardinals Made the Deal
Facing a 8-15 July skid and sitting five games out of a Wild Card spot, St. Louis pivoted to seller mode. Helsley, a free agent after the season, was their most valuable trade chip. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak acknowledged the shift, stating, “We have to understand what the future looks like… are there decisions that we can make that would better situate the franchise in 2026 and beyond?” .
Helsley, the Cardinals’ longest-tenured player, anticipated the move, telling reporters earlier this week his odds of being traded were “90 percent.” He expressed gratitude for his seven years in St. Louis, where he saved 103 games with a 2.03 ERA from 2022-2024 .
Mets’ Deadline Strategy & What’s Next
The Ryan Helsley trade cost significant prospect capital, following the earlier deal for Rogers (which cost José Buttó, Drew Gilbert, and Blade Tidwell). Stearns prioritized immediate bullpen impact over long-term control, betting on the current championship window. The Mets also absorbed Helsley’s remaining $2.65 million salary, plus a 110% luxury tax penalty, bringing the total cost to approximately $5.6 million .
While the bullpen was the “highest priority,” the Mets remain engaged in talks for a center fielder (like Luis Robert Jr.) and could explore rotation depth before Thursday’s 6 PM ET deadline .
Cardinals’ Rebuild Continues
For St. Louis, acquiring Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt adds depth to a farm system in transition. Baez immediately becomes a Top 10 prospect in their organization. This deal likely signals more moves, with relievers Phil Maton, Steven Matz, and JoJo Romero also available. The Cardinals also listened on Nolan Arenado, though his no-trade clause complicates deals.
Fantasy & On-Field Implications
For the Mets, Díaz remains the closer, but Helsley’s setup role slightly diminishes his save opportunities. His elite strikeout ability still provides significant fantasy value. In St. Louis, JoJo Romero or rookie Riley O’Brien could get save chances if other veterans are traded .
The Ryan Helsley trade dramatically reshapes the NL East race. Minutes after the Mets’ deal, the rival Phillies acquired Twins closer Jhoan Duran, setting up a fascinating bullpen arms race down the stretch .
“We got better as a team,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza succinctly declared 1. With Helsley and Rogers joining Díaz, the Mets’ quest to dominate the late innings just received its most powerful statement yet.
