Inside The Red Sox

Could Two-Time All-Star On Trade Block Replace Red Sox's Kenley Jansen?

Should the Red Sox consider a major trade this winter?

Patrick McAvoy

Sep 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images / D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
In this story:

There's going to be plenty of rumors and speculation across Major League Baseball now that the regular season is over.

The Boston Red Sox are among a group of teams that failed to earn a playoff spot and now have a head start on their offseason planning. The Red Sox won't be able to make any major moves until the playoffs actually end, but rumors will start to pick up about who the club could target.

There clearly will be some changes made, and it already has been speculated that star closer Kenley Jansen won't be re-signing with the team this winter in free agency. Boston will have Liam Hendriks as an option to replace Jansen, but the club will need to add more firepower to the bullpen after a down year.

One player who surprisingly could be available and make some sense is St. Louis Cardinals star reliever Ryan Helsley. It seems like the Cardinals are nearing a rebuild, and it has been reported that Helsley will have trade interest this winter by the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Derrick Goold.

"After a record 49 saves at closer, Ryan Helsley is set for an arbitration jackpot, but he also will command interest from other teams and a significant return for a team looking beyond 2025, Helsley’s final year under control," Goold said.

Helsley is a two-time All-Star who logged a 2.04 ERA in 2024 across 65 outings to go along with 49 saves. He is one of the best relievers in baseball and still is in arbitration. Pairing him with Hendriks could form a fearsome duo at the end of games for Boston. Why not at least see what a deal would cost if St. Louis is blowing up the roster?

More MLB: Red Sox Trade Pickup 'Definitely' Won't Be Back After Failed Stint

Published
Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

Home/Boston Red Sox News