ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - 2024 was a big year for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
After a 2023 season that saw Helsley deal with injuries, most notably a right forearm strain that limited Helsley to only 33 appearances and 11 appearances after June 7, Helsley was dominant in 2024, putting a 2.04 ERA across 65 appearances, and matching former Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal's franchise record of 49 saves in single season.
Helsley's 2024 season, which saw him lead all of NL in saves, games finished, and win-probability added (wPA) and finish in the top-five in Fangraphs wins above replacement (fWAR), saw him earn a unanimous selection as 2024 NL Reliever of the Year and a spot on the All-MLB First-Team.
KMOX Sports personalities Matt Pauley and Bernie Miklasz discussed the season Helsley had in 2024 and the value he gave to the Cardinals on Friday's edition of 'The Gashouse Gang'.
"(Helsley) is an excellent reliever to say the least," said Miklasz. "If you take the last three seasons, and there have been some injuries mixed in there, but he second in WAR among relievers, third in ERA, eighth in strikeout rate, fifth in wPA, he is about as good as it gets."
With the Cardinals set to enter in a retool phase in the coming future, and with Helsley due for a hefty raise in 2025 and is a pending free agent after next season, Helsley's name is a name that will be constantly in trade rumors up until the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline.
"I would think there be a market for him, and I be surprised if there is not for him," said Miklasz. "I think the Cardinals should make a move if they get an offer that they like because unless they really think they can contend in 2025, or unless they are seriously planning to try sign him to a big contract, I would say politely what would be the point of not trading him?"