Ryan Helsley, a 30-year-old closer for the St. Louis Cardinals, kicked off his eighth major league season in St. Louis with a save in his 2025 debut. The Cardinals’ Opening Day payroll of $137.2 million ranked 19th in the MLB, a significant decrease from the previous season’s $175.2 million, which was 11th in the league. Despite their lower payroll and decisions not to re-sign veterans like Paul Goldschmidt, the Cardinals were not expected to enter the 2025 season with a higher payroll than in 2024.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak opted not to pursue a full rebuild, as veterans like Helsley, third baseman Nolan Arenado, and pitchers Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas made the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. Arenado remained in St. Louis after invoking his no-trade clause to veto a potential deal with the Houston Astros. Despite finishing last season 83-79, six games out of a Wild Card spot, the team believes they can still contend, despite shedding payroll and veteran talent. There were questions surrounding why the Cardinals didn’t capitalize on Helsley’s trade value in light of their offseason decisions.
Amidst plummeting RSN viewership, a unique front-office transition, and the departure of key players, including Goldschmidt, the Cardinals managed to put a team together for the 2025 season. The team’s belief in their ability to contend, despite spending less and losing veterans, indicates a desire to stay competitive rather than undergoing a complete rebuild. Despite earlier speculation that Helsley would be traded, he remains with the team after Mozeliak decided against a full rebuild. The decision to keep key players like Helsley suggests the team’s commitment to staying competitive.
In ESPN’s annual preseason survey of major league executives, Helsley was predicted to change teams midseason by some. However, with a strong start to the 2025 season, it seems Helsley may stick around with the Cardinals for the long haul. The team’s 1-0 start to the season is a positive sign for their aspirations to remain competitive despite offseason changes. Helsley’s performance and potential impact on the team’s success will be closely monitored as the season progresses. The Cardinals’ decision not to trade Helsley, along with their other offseason moves, will continue to be scrutinized by the industry as their season unfolds.
