3 Cardinals players the NY Mets shouldn’t trade for, 2 they should consider adding

The Cardinals are a match for the Mets in a couple of trade scenarios, but not everyone is worth a pursuit.

St. Louis Cardinals v New York Mets
St. Louis Cardinals v New York Mets | Rich Schultz/GettyImages
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The Mets should trade for Ryan Helsley

It might be tough for the Mets to convince some of the top free agent relievers with closer experience to sign a deal. The alternative is to make a trade. Last year’s closer for the Cardinals, Ryan Helsley, would be a dream addition. He saved a league-leading 49 games with a 2.04 ERA. His first full year as the team’s ninth-inning man, he’d be the perfect setup man and Edwin Diaz alternative for any period when the current Mets closer gets himself into trouble or Carlos Mendoza has a preference for a different matchup.

Controlled only through 2025, Helsley might not be too ecstatic about going to a team with a closer already on the roster because of how it could hurt his chances at a gigantic pay day. Fewer saves means a stronger bargaining chip for other clubs when he does hit the open market. Luckily for him, Helsley showed enough this past year as a closer where enough teams ready to pay a reliever shouldn’t shy too far away.

We know Helsley best from this most recent season but he has been good for several. He pitched to a 1.25 ERA in 2022 and delivered a 2.45 ERA performance in 2023—a year where he missed about half the year.

Mock trades or general speculation about Helsley have often included him being paired with a teammate. Most often, his name seems to appear alongside this next player whom the Mets are better off avoiding.

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