Should the Phillies trade Mick Abel for Ryan Helsley? The question is getting serious attention as Philadelphia’s bullpen struggles continue.
Abel, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2020, has rebounded nicely this season with a 2.75 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 39 1/3 innings. It’s a welcome turnaround after his struggles in 2024 that saw his prospect stock take a significant hit. The 23-year-old righty could reach the majors this year, but his trade value remains somewhat unclear.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes the Phillies should package Abel in a deal for Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. The trade proposal was part of five hypothetical May deals Bowden outlined Monday.
“Dave Dombrowski told me during an interview on the ‘Front Office Show’ on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Philadelphia has a need on the right side of the bullpen. The Phillies president of baseball operations made it clear that he views it as their biggest need,” Bowden wrote.
“I think their top target should be Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, who is considered one of the best in the sport… For the Phillies to give up Abel in this deal, it’s only fair that they have a chance to extend Helsley at the time of the trade.”
Helsley, 30, has been a force at the back end of St. Louis’ bullpen. He’s posted a 3.75 ERA with five saves through 12 innings this season. His 2024 campaign was nothing short of dominant – 49 saves, the NL Reliever of the Year Award, and 78 strikeouts in 66 innings.
The extension piece could be the real sticking point here. Spotrac projects Helsley for a six-year, $81 million contract, which would rank as the third-largest deal ever for a reliever. That’s significant money for a position known for volatility.
The Phillies would be taking a substantial risk if Helsley either walked in free agency or lost effectiveness early in an extension. But that’s the gamble contenders sometimes make. For a team with World Series aspirations like Philadelphia, sacrificing future potential for immediate high-end bullpen help might be worth it.
What makes this particularly interesting is how the Phillies have historically valued Abel. Once considered virtually untouchable, his recent performance fluctuations might have changed the organization’s perspective. The timing feels right for both sides – St. Louis gets a high-ceiling arm for their rebuild while Philadelphia addresses their most glaring weakness.
