The Mets have doubled down on relievers. After giving up somewhat of a haul earlier Wednesday for reliever Trevor Rogers, they came back later in the day and picked up Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the top arms remaining on the market. The Mets will send Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt to the Cardinals for Helsley, according to Jon Heyman. Baez and Dohm are both top 15 prospects in the Mets organization, and now they're off to St. Louis as the Mets get a flamethrower to likely be the setup man to closer Edwin Díaz in New York.
Mets get Helsley for Baez, Dohm, Elissalt. Done deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2025
MLB Trade Grades: Mets get even more reliever help with Ryan Helsley addition
From the Mets perspective, why not? Adding Rogers earlier today for some promising prospects showed the team is full steam ahead in 2025, and this move confirms that. Baez (No. 8 Mets prospect) and Dohm (No. 14 Mets prospect) is a pretty substantial package just like the package they gave up for Rogers, but a World Series parade in Queens would make fans forget about that quickly. Helsley, even in a down year, gives the Mets reinforcements in the bullpen, shoring up the biggest area of need for Carlos Mendoza's team.
For the Cardinals, this isn't a horrible haul for a guy that everyone knew was likely to be dealt. But they didn't get any Top 100 guys back from the Mets, and after seeing the Mets' package earlier today for Rogers, you'd think the Cardinals would have held their feet to the fire a bit more. It's not awful... but it's not stellar, either.
Jesus Baez is the most exciting part of this package for the Cardinals — the SS / 3B isn't expected to reach the majors for a few years, but he's already flashed serious pop in the minors.