The Los Angeles Dodgers built up the bullpen in the offseason to avoid the need to add one at the trade deadline. However, injuries and inconsistent performances are dictating otherwise. With two weeks to go until the deadline, the Dodgers know they’ll likely have to overpay for a reliever. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports thinks Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley is their best bet.
“Tanner Scott has been a rollercoaster this year and the Dodgers figure to import bullpen help at the deadline, which makes them like every other contender,” wrote Axisa. “Helsley will be a free agent after the season though, and losing him for nothing but a draft pick (if St. Louis even makes him the qualifying offer) would be tough to swallow.” Helsley has been a dominant reliever this season for the Cardinals posting a 3.27 ERA through 33 games.
He’s recorded 19 saves so far for St. Louis in his contract year. Axisa didn’t go into details about what the return may look like going back to St. Louis, but one player that stands out as a possibility to be dealt is Bobby Miller. The 25-year-old right-hander had great success in his first year of the big leagues, but he hasn’t been able to put it together since then. The Cardinals would likely then ask for infielder Alex Freeland (Dodgers No.
5 prospect) in a potential deal knowing there is always going to be uncertainty about Nolan Arenado. If the Dodgers can acquire Helsley to take some pressure off of Tanner Scott, they shouldn’t worry about overpaying and just get it done.
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