The Boston Red Sox are aiming to compete for a playoff spot in 2025, and while they’ve made significant upgrades to their starting rotation and added a key right-handed bat in Alex Bregman, their bullpen remains a potential area of concern. The team is hoping that one of Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, or Justin Slaten will step up as the closer, but none have been consistently reliable in that role since at least 2022. This leaves the door open for Boston to explore external options as the season progresses.
According to NBC Sports Boston’s Justin Leger, the Red Sox could target **St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley** at the 2025 trade deadline. Helsley, a two-time All-Star and the 2024 MLB saves leader, has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason as he enters the final year of his contract.
*“It looks like he’ll remain on their roster for now, but the hard-throwing righty is a prime candidate to be moved next summer with St. Louis rebuilding and unlikely to contend,”* Leger wrote. *“Unless Chapman, Hendriks, or Slaten thrives in the closer role, Helsley would stabilize the back end of the bullpen and turn Boston’s weakness into a strength. He shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg either since he’ll be a rental.”*
Helsley, 30, has been dominant since 2022, posting a 1.88 ERA and setting a career-high with 49 saves in 2024. He struck out 79 batters in 66 1/3 innings last season and will earn $8.2 million in his final year of arbitration before hitting free agency.
Adding Helsley to the Red Sox bullpen could provide the stability they need to lock down close games and solidify their playoff push. With his proven track record and elite performance, Helsley would be a safer bet than any of Boston’s current internal options.
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