If the Cardinals are trading Ryan Helsley, the Dodgers make sense as a destination
The Cardinals appear likely to trade Ryan Helsley, as long as they receive a strong package in exchange. That means some Major League ready prospects will likely come back to the Cardinals if Helsley is dealt.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece on two potential spots Helsley could land and what the return packages from each team would look like. Jim Bowden had listed the Red Sox and Orioles as potential trade partners.
While I like the idea of trading with either of those teams, those aren’t the only teams I think could give the Cardinals a good haul for Helsley. In fact, while I think they could get a good haul from either Boston or Baltimore, I actually don’t think either one of them can give St. Louis the best possible package.
This is where the Dodgers come in. Everyone knows that the Dodgers are essentially in on everything and will add players to their roster just because they can. They have the financial resources and the prospect capital to get things like this done.
But yesterday, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report made a list of top prospects that could be traded leading up to the winter meetings. On the list was the Dodgers top prospect, catcher and outfielder Daulton Rushing.
As the Cardinals weigh their options in terms of packages for Helsley, Rushing is somebody that I’m quite intrigued by. He’s the No. 46 prospect in all of baseball and had a strong season in the minors, slashing .271/.385/.512 with 26 home runs, 85 RBI and 48 extra-base hits.
While the Cardinals have a lot of catching prospects, they now seem a little thin in the outfield, and Rushing could certainly help with that. He’s a cost-controlled bat that could be ready next season and even give the Cardinals a bit of a boost if acquired.
But Rushing isn’t the only piece the Dodgers have that makes me think they are the best potential trade partner for Helsley. I really like the pitching options they have, and I think the Cardinals need at least one cost-controlled pitcher. They have guys like Justin Wrobleski, Kyle Hurt and Nick Frasso that are all intriguing to me.
This is why I think if the Cardinals do trade Helsley, the Dodgers are the best trade partner. A good package could help St. Louis expedite their rebuild and potentially return to contention by 2026.
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