The New York Mets have bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of veteran reliever Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals, but the move comes with a strategic twist. Despite Helsley's credentials as a top-tier closer, he won't be finishing games in New York, for now, at least.
In return, the Mets sent three prospects to the Cardinals, infielder Jesus Baez and right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. While the move signals the Mets' intent to solidify their playoff position, it also raises questions about whether the price paid reflects the role Helsley is expected to play.
Helsley Joins a Crowded Relief Corps
The trade for Ryan Helsley was finalised late Wednesday night, just a day before the deadline. It was the Mets' second bullpen deal of the day, having earlier landed right-hander Tyler Rogers from San Francisco. Both additions follow a recent trade for left-hander Gregory Soto, as the club attempts to address a bullpen that has struggled in recent months.
Helsley, 31, boasts a powerful fastball that averages over 99 mph and has served as a dominant closer in St. Louis. From 2022 to 2024, he notched 82 saves and recorded a 1.83 earned run average, the second-best among relievers with at least 150 innings during that span.
Despite this record, the Mets plan to use him as a setup man behind All-Star closer Edwin Díaz. The shift in role has fueled speculation about whether the team is fully leveraging Helsley's strengths or if they were just adding depth to an inconsistent bullpen unit ranked 25th in ERA since June.
We have acquired RHP Ryan Helsley from St. Louis in exchange for INF Jesus Baez, RHP Nate Dohm, and RHP Frank Elissalt.
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 31, 2025
Welcome to New York, Ryan! pic.twitter.com/HyoGhm9FeM
A Costly Addition
To acquire Helsley, the Mets gave up notable young talent. Jesus Baez, 20, is a power-hitting infielder who was versatile across the diamond. Known for his high hitting power at bat and improving discipline at the plate, he has had ten home runs this season and a .740 OPS at High-A.
Nate Dohm, a former third-round pick, is a hard-throwing right-hander who projects as a fastball-heavy reliever. He owns a 2.87 ERA across two Class A levels this year.
Meanwhile, Frank Elissalt, a 19th-round pick from Nova Southeastern, offers middle-relief potential with a low release angle and a 3.04 ERA in 20 games this season.
While none of the prospects were top-100 ranked, industry reactions have been mixed. Some analysts praised the Cardinals' return, calling Baez a high-upside bat with positional flexibility. Others felt the Mets came away with a bargain for a pitcher who may still have elite closing years ahead.
Helsley's Numbers Under the Microscope
Although Helsley remains a powerful option, his 2025 numbers show signs of wear. Opponents are batting .406 against his fastball this season, a sharp increase from last year's .276. He has also surrendered more home runs, four of them, in 36 appearances than he did in the entirety of 2024, where he just saw three.
Still, Helsley's 3.00 ERA and 21 saves suggest that he remains a dependable late-inning option. The question now is whether the shift to a setup role impacts his performance, or if it reduces his market value ahead of free agency.
As the Mets continue their deadline activity, reports suggest they are also targeting outfield bats, with interest in Cedric Mullins and Luis Robert Jr. But with the bullpen now featuring three new arms, the focus will likely shift to chemistry and execution as things progress.
Ryan Helsley is an incredible get for the Mets
— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) July 30, 2025
- 100 MPH heat, nasty slider
- 2.03 ERA // 1.03 WHIP since 2021
- One of the best relievers in MLB
Traded 3 prospects of value for him, all with some fun traits and potential + flaws
But a total slam dunk of a win-now move pic.twitter.com/yWW0b9DXYD
A Strategic Gamble
With Helsley in place, the Mets have added a high-leverage reliever whose résumé reads like a closer's. However, his role will require adjustment. Whether this setup gamble pays off may hinge on how manager Carlos Mendoza manages his bullpen from this point.
For now, the trade reflects a win-now strategy that comes at the cost of promising young talent. How Ryan Helsley fits into that picture remains to be seen as the Mets pursue a return to relevance later in the season.
