The New York Yankees were fortunate to have a lockdown closer this season, even if it wasn’t the one they expected.
After Devin Williams struggled to start the season, Luke Weaver took over the ninth-inning role and pitched his tail off, putting up a 1.05 ERA and eight saves in 25 2/3 innings. But Weaver is now headed to the injured list with a hamstring strain.
In theory, the Yankees should get Weaver back by the Jul. 31 trade deadline. The initial timeline looks to be four to six weeks, though there are more tests to be done. And the role will likely go right back to Williams, a two-time National League Reliever of the Year, for the time being.
But the Yankees, argues one baseball writer, should be proactive about searching for additional bullpen help, even knowing that Weaver will eventually be ready to contribute again.
On Monday, Zach Kaplan of Athlon named St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley as the number-one trade target for the Yankees to pursue in the wake of the Weaver news.
“Despite being the closer for the surprisingly competitive Cardinals, Helsley could be made available due to his upcoming free agency. St. Louis clearly values their star, who has pitched to a sub-3.00 ERA in four straight seasons, but his price tag could ultimately prove too costly,” Kaplan wrote.
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“The Yankees have the kind of prospect haul to acquire Helsley, who wouldn’t be as expensive as the Athletics’ Mason Miller or Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara, for example.”
Helsley, 30, will look for a massive contract when he hits free agency this winter. Spotrac projects him for a six-year, $81 million deal, which the Cardinals would seem unlikely to do given their commitment to decreased spending before this season.
Will the Cardinals, who are firmly in the wild card hunt, ultimately decide to trade Helsley? It would be to the Yankees’ benefit, but that doesn’t guarantee it will happen by any means.
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