At the start of the season, the focus was on one man as the Cardinals’ top trade asset — Ryan Helsley. Coming off a 49-save campaign, Helsley seemed like the ideal candidate to headline a major trade that could bring back a strong return of prospects. The offseason appeared to be the perfect window to sell high. But as the months have passed, that opportunity has faded.
Helsley still closed out Game 1 of yesterday’s doubleheader with a clean inning, but his 3.81 ERA and inconsistent performance in June have lowered his value. That’s the nature of the closer role — dominance can be fleeting, and trade worth can vanish quickly.
Meanwhile, the spotlight has shifted to Phil Maton. Maton worked a scoreless eighth inning in the same game and continues to impress with a 1.98 ERA. His steady performance in high-leverage spots has already drawn attention from contenders eager to bolster their bullpens ahead of the deadline. The payoff is starting to materialize as offers roll in, and Maton is shaping up to be the piece that could net the Cardinals a significant return.
While Helsley’s trade value has cooled, Maton’s stock is surging at just the right time. The Cardinals now have a golden opportunity to capitalize — and the benefits are already being felt as the trade market heats up.