MLB Trade Rumors: Phillies & Cardinals Linked To Blockbuster Trade

The Philadelphia Phillies are under pressure. 

After closer José Alvarado was suspended 80 games for PED use and big-money signing Jordan Romano imploded with a 10.22 ERA, the bullpen has become their most glaring weakness. As the trade deadline approaches, the Phillies are increasingly linked to St. Louis Cardinals All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley — but at what cost?

Former GM Jim Bowden floated a deal in The Athletic sending right-handed pitching prospect Mick Abel to St. Louis for Helsley. On paper, the logic is clear. Helsley, coming off a dominant 49-save season in 2024, remains one of the most electric arms in the league despite a less dominant 2025 campaign (3.75 ERA, 11 strikeouts, 8 walks in 12 innings). 

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski even acknowledged bullpen help is a “biggest need” on MLB Network Radio. The sticking point? Abel's resurgence makes him a valuable long-term asset, and Helsley’s contract is set to expire after the season.

Abel's Rise Clouds the Picture

Mick Abel’s 2024 was forgettable — a 6.46 ERA at Triple-A and a drop in prospect stock. But 2025 has been a different story. The 23-year-old has a 2.53 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning over eight Triple-A starts, and he dazzled in his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, throwing six scoreless innings and fanning nine in a win over Paul Skenes. The Phillies’ rotation depth gives them the luxury to use Abel in the bullpen now or groom him for the long term — making it difficult to justify flipping him for a rental reliever.

St. Louis, meanwhile, is in playoff contention but dealing with injuries in their pitching pipeline. With several top prospects out for the season, they could use an MLB-ready arm like Abel to bolster their future rotation. Curt Bishop of Inside the Cardinals suggests that even if St. Louis stays in the race, their thin minor-league pitching could warrant a trade to replenish depth.

Short-Term Need vs. Long-Term Value

While Helsley could immediately stabilize the Phillies' shaky bullpen, the risk is obvious. Spotrac estimates Helsley could command a six-year, $81 million extension — the third-largest ever for a reliever. If the Phillies part with Abel and fail to re-sign Helsley, it could look like a short-sighted panic move. Christopher Kline of FanSided put it plainly: “Abel is not untouchable… but the Phillies can’t trade him for a bullpen rental. He’s too good.”

If St. Louis is open to an extension window, the conversation changes. But unless that’s guaranteed, Philadelphia would be gambling a resurgent first-round pick on a bullpen fix that might walk in a few months. For now, speculation swirls, and whether Dombrowski pushes the button may come down to just how desperate the Phillies are to patch their biggest hole.

Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images