The Los Angeles Dodgers may sit atop the NL West and boast the best record in the National League entering the second half. After spending $107 million on three relievers during the offseason, Los Angeles has yet to find the consistency necessary to make another deep playoff run. The offense has done its job carrying the roster, but Tanner Scott’s ninth-inning struggles continue to be a dark cloud on the roster.
Dodgers Predicted to Make Bold Trade for Cardinals' Ryan Helsley originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Dodgers may sit atop the NL West and boast the best record in the National League entering the second half. However, their makeshift bullpen could use a makeover. After spending $107 million on three relievers during the offseason, Los Angeles has yet to find the consistency necessary to make another deep playoff run. The offense has done its job carrying the roster, but Tanner Scott’s ninth-inning struggles continue to be a dark cloud on the roster. While moving Scott out of the closer role is ill-advised due to his previous track record, it is not out of the question.
The left-hander’s roller coaster season led Mike Axisa of CBS Sports to predict the Dodgers to acquire St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley at the trade deadline as part of his “Second Half Bold Predictions.”
Helsley, 31, has not been able to replicate his All-Star season of 2024. The former saves leader has struggled with control (3.8 walks per nine) and has yet to find his stride, resulting in the third-highest blown save total in 2025. However, Helsley still possesses a dominant fastball (99th percentile per Baseball Savant) and an impressive chase rate, which makes him one of the top relievers on the market.
While the Cardinals, just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, may be reluctant to sell, Axisa believes they are a prime buy-and-sell candidate. If so, Helsley is an excellent piece to move and a player the Dodgers should covet due to his rental status.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently wrote about Andrew Friedman’s displeasure with the need to spend more money at the deadline after pouring nearly $2 billion into the roster the last two winters. Helsley fits the non-expensive addition not only financially, but also in terms of how many prospects it will cost to make a trade happen.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
