According to Jon Heyman of the NY Post, the New York Mets have acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals. Heading to St. Louis are Jesus Baez, the Mets’ number-eight prospect per MLB Pipeline, and minor leaguers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.

Helsley is the third reliever acquired by the Mets at this year’s trade deadline, joining Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers as the team’s bullpen adds. Helsley, a two-time All-Star, currently boasts a 3.00 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP across 36 innings, recording 21 saves in 26 opportunities. In 2024, he led MLB with 49 saves. With the Mets, he won’t be in the same closer role he was in with the Cardinals due to Edwin Diaz, but he fills in as a strong late-innings setup man.

Helsley thrives as a high-velocity pitcher with one of the best chase rates in baseball, at 34.3% (94th percentile). However, he struggles to induce soft contact, with an average exit velocity of 91.5 MPH (6th percentile), and a 45.5% hard-hit rate (15th percentile). He also walks a lot of batters, with an 8.9% walk rate (37th percentile).

Helsley to Mets trade grade: B+

It hurts to give up any top-ten prospect in the organization, but for a player of Helsley’s caliber, it’s necessary, and it makes sense to move a guy like Baez. The Mets have better infielders in the organization and at the major league level, and Baez was someone who likely wouldn’t see time on the big stage with the Mets anyways. The other minor leaguers involved were not top prospects in the organization.

Adding Helsley gives the Mets what is likely the best bullpen in baseball, and potentially the best bullpen in team history. Despite his struggles, Helsley is an elite pitcher and significantly bolsters the back end of the bullpen. The biggest (and only) red flag is his contract; Helsley is on a one-year deal without any team control beyond the season, making him a rental. As a win-now team, the Mets have to be willing to take that risk to upgrade, and it’s not much of a risk they’re taking anyways.