The New York Mets on Wednesday acquired relief pitcher Ryan Helsley in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, and the deal had fans saying the same thing. The Mets sent shortstop prospect Jesus Baez along with pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt to St. Louis for Helsley.
Helsley, 31, had been with the Cardinals since 2019. He had a breakout season in 2022 when he went 9-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. He made the All-Star team that season, and he made it again in 2024 when he went 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA in 66.1 innings.
This season, Helsley has a 3.00 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 36 innings and a 1.39 WHIP.
In addition to Helsley, the Mets also acquired Tyler Rogers from the Giants on Wednesday. Rogers has a 1.80 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 9.50 K/BB ratio. Fans all said that it was clear the Mets are building a bullpen for the postseason — one that might be the best in MLB.
The New York Mets are now LOADED in the bullpen, closing games with:
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) July 30, 2025
7th Inning: Tyler Rogers
8th: Ryan Helsley
9th: Edwin Diaz
Now or never for Steve Cohen, David Stearns and the fellas from Queens pic.twitter.com/zAcTV4UHfa
The New York Mets now have the best bullpen in all of Major League Baseball.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 30, 2025
Tyler Rogers
Ryan Helsley
Edwin Diaz
My god. That happened fast.
Ryan Helsley this season:
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) July 30, 2025
36.0 IP
3.00 ERA
41 K
The Mets add one of the best closers in baseball alongside Díaz. pic.twitter.com/Zf0Y9WKVp4
Helsley’s slider has been particularly devastating this season.
Ryan Helsley has been acquired by the Mets
— Baseball Unstitched Podcast (@BaseUnstitched) July 30, 2025
Helsely is known for his 100+ mph fastball, but in 2025 his slider has been one of the most devastating pitches in baseball all!
Slider Metrics:
88.9 MPH AVG
1 IVB (avg)
-4 IHB (avg)
0.92 BAA
.130 wOBA
45.6% Whiff rate
10 RV pic.twitter.com/dV7e2WFXGc
What’s notable is that Helsley has also been particularly dominant against the Philadelphia Phillies, who are competing with the Mets for the NL East title.
FYI. The Phillies have had, um…a hard time against Ryan Helsley in his career. That's being kind. pic.twitter.com/FC78wyT6bf
— D.J. Short (@djshort) July 30, 2025
Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers against the Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies and Padres this year:
— jack (@Jolly_Olive) July 30, 2025
19.1 IP / 1ER / 1BB / 16K
Building a bullpen for October. pic.twitter.com/seGemC7HLF
The Mets weren’t about to let the Phillies be the only team in the division making big moves.
