The calendar has not yet even flipped to May, leaving more than three months to go until MLBs trade deadline on July 31. That hasnt stopped some teams from a se sing their needs and even beginning to look into potential targets for the summer, however, and writes that the Phillies and Diamondbacks both already have an eye on Cardinals closer . Theres no indications that St. Louis is currently listening to offers on their closer, nor that either Philadelphia or Arizona has reached out to Cardinals bra s at this point, though Nightengale goes on to suggest that Helsley is likely to be dealt prior to the deadline. Its easy to see why Helsley would be an attractive candidate for teams looking for a closer. The righty emerged as the Cardinals closer in 2022 and has been nothing short of dominant ever since, with a combined 1.83 ERA (225 ERA+), a 34.6% strikeout rate, and and 2.35 FIP to go with 83 saves over the past three years. Those numbers are nothing short of elite: Among all qualified relievers during that stretch, Helsleys ERA is third (behind and ), his FIP is fourth (behind Williams, , and ), his saves total ranks sixth, and his strikeout rate ranks eighth. Those sensational numbers made Helsely a prime trade target for clubs in need of relief help over the winter, . The Cardinals seemingly rebuffed offers on their closer throughout the offseason, however, even as they opted not to discu s an extension with their closer as they from making long-term commitments this winter. St. Louiss 12-15 record puts them 4.5 games back of the Cubs in the NL Central and three games underwater. Its still plenty early enough for virtually any team in the majors to go on a run and get themselves into the playoff conversation, but failing a surprise reversal in fortune a Cardinals front office Michael Wacha Jersey that attempted to soft-launch a retooling over the offseason appears likely to sell rental pieces like Helsley this summer. Should Helsley be dangled by the Cardinals later this year, theyll surely find plenty of suitors. Toronto pivoted to sign after they failed to land Helsley, and that decision is going swimmingly so far. The Diamondbacks did not find a closer over the offseason, however, so Nightengales report that they have continued interest in Helsley makes plenty of sense. Thats particularly true after was shelved last week due to elbow inflammation that seems likely to keep him out of action for the foreseeable future, further denting a bullpen that relied primarily on Puk and to close out games. The Phillies, meanwhile, attempted to addre s the lo ses of Hoffman and Estevez in free agency by signing non-tendered Jays closer . The 32-year-old had been one of the leagues top closing pitchers not long ago, with a 2.29 ERA and two All-Star appearances between 2020 and 2023. Things changed last year, however, as Romano battled elbow inflammation and pitched to an ugly 6.59 ERA in the 15 appearances he did make. That led the Jays to non-tender Romano, and the Phillies eventually snapped him up on an $8.5MM guarantee. That deal was signed with the idea that Romano would join lefties and in the late innings for the Phillies this year, but things havent gone to plan as hes allowed a whopping 15 runs (14 earned) in just 9 1/3 innings of work over 11 appearances. Its hardly a shock that such an ugly performance has inspired the Phillies to begin surveying closing po sibilities on the trade market. The clubs core is continuing to age and with players like , , and set to hit free agency this winter the team could look extremely different this time next year. If 2025 proves to be the Phillies last opportunity to win with their current core, it would make sense to be aggre sive in supplementing it this summer even as they enter play today with a relatively pedestrian 14-13 record. Adding a solid back-end reliever like Helsley, as they did when they dealt for Estevez last year, could go a long way to helping Philadelphia gear up for a playoff run in what looks to be an extremely competitive National League this year. As sensible as the addition of a player like Helsley may be, Nightengale is quick to note that the Phillies arent interested in trading their very best and most impactful prospects. Specifically Nightengale writes that both and wont be included in any trade, and thats hardly a surprise given that both are well-regarded pieces with high ceilings who are already in the upper levels of the minors. It would be a shock if either of them were traded this summer and its almost unfathomable that either could ever be considered in a deal for a rental relief arm, even one as electric as Helsley. Lucas Erceg Jersey