Cardinals July record will determine potential Ryan Helsley trade

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MLB executives around baseball view the St. Louis Cardinals as a team between two different paths. Whether the team becomes a buyer or a seller, a lot can change for the Cardinals’ trade deadline plans in the future.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, an MLB executive believes that the Cardinals’ trade deadline plan, specifically with Ryan Helsley, is dependent on how the month of July goes for the club.

“How the team performs in July will determine if Helsley is dealt.” Bowden writes, “According to one AL GM who has talked with the Cardinals.”

Assuming the Cardinals didn’t give false information to this American League general manager,  the month of July will be a big determining factor in whether the Cardinals trade away Helsely.

He’s set to be a free agent after the 2025 season and is projected to hit the open market and land a big deal. That, in theory, should set up the Cardinals to trade away Helelsey if they don’t anticipate keeping him.

MORE: Cardinals linked to Diamondbacks starter amid postseason push

That is, if the team doesn’t view themselves as buyers at the trade deadline instead. With one month left before the trade deadline, a lot of the Cardinals’ decision-making will come down to how well the team plays in July.

A strong month, and Helsley stays, and the Cardinals look to buy at the deadline. But a bad month could lead the Cardinals to ship off Helsley, and potentially others, as the front office views the 2025 season as over.

Of course, such a decision doesn’t seem likely right now with the Cardinals in firm postseason contention. Sitting a half game up over the San Diego Padres for the third NL Wild Card spot, the Cardinals aren’t likely to trade Helsley.

But, a bad July, in the eyes of one AL general manager, could lead the Cardinals to trade the All-Star closer. There are plenty of teams who’d love to add Helsley, but it all depends on how July goes, as the Cardinals sit in the middle of being buyers or sellers.

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