Phillies Should Avoid Trading Mick Abel for Ryan Helsley
The Philadelphia Phillies are facing a serious setback after closer José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games due to a positive PED test, ruling him out for the rest of the season and the playoffs. With a significant gap now in the bullpen, the team will need to find reinforcements soon.
One name linked to the Phillies is Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley, who is in the final year of his contract. Reports suggest Philadelphia has been monitoring Helsley for at least a month, even before Alvarado’s suspension. While St. Louis is still in playoff contention, Helsley could be made available due to his expiring deal.
Former MLB GM Jim Bowden recently floated the idea of trading top Phillies prospect Mick Abel for Helsley. However, that proposal is drawing skepticism. Just a year ago, such a trade may have seemed plausible—Abel had a rough 2024 season, finishing with a 6.46 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in Triple-A. At the same time, Helsley was performing as one of baseball’s elite closers.
Now, the roles have somewhat reversed. Helsley’s numbers in 2025 are respectable but not dominant: a 3.71 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings. His strikeout rate has also declined noticeably. While still a solid reliever, he no longer looks like a top-tier option.
Meanwhile, Abel has turned things around in a big way. He’s posted a 2.53 ERA with 51 strikeouts over 46.1 innings in Triple-A this season. He recently made a strong MLB debut, pitching six scoreless innings and recording nine strikeouts in a win against the Pirates.
Given Philadelphia’s deep starting rotation, Abel may not secure a permanent spot as a starter this season, but he could be a valuable bullpen piece in a playoff run. With that in mind, trading a high-upside arm like Abel for a short-term reliever doesn’t make strategic sense for the Phillies.
While Abel isn’t untouchable, the team must be cautious. Trading him for a rental like Helsley—who’s likely to leave in free agency—would be a short-sighted move that could backfire. Abel’s current value and future potential make him far too important to use as a bargaining chip in a panic deal.
