The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to pursue high-impact relievers this offseason. General manager Mike Hazen has confirmed that the team attempted to acquire Devin Williams before he was traded to the New York Yankees, according to John Gambadoro.
The reliever market has been slower than anticipated, which could lead the Diamondbacks to target a key arm in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for closer Ryan Helsley, who is set to earn $8 million in 2025.
Here’s a possible trade scenario involving Helsley:
Arizona Diamondbacks Receive: Ryan Helsley
St. Louis Cardinals Receive: LHP Yu-Min Lin (No. 5 Prospect), 3B Gino Groover (No. 9 Prospect)
While two top-10 prospects may seem like a high price, Helsley’s affordable contract makes the deal more reasonable. At 30 years old, Helsley is slated to make just $8.1 million in 2025. This is significant because the Diamondbacks have historically not given a reliever an average annual value (AAV) above $7 million under Hazen. If they continue this trend, Arizona might be more open to trading top prospects.
Although there are other free-agent options available within this price range, it will be challenging for the Diamondbacks to find a reliever who can match Helsley’s production at that cost.
Helsley posted a stellar 2.04 ERA this season, recording a career-high 49 saves in 66 1/3 innings. He was the Cardinals’ lone All-Star in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down.
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