The Boston Red Sox are back on track following a slow start to the 2025 MLB season. Following Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox are now five games above .500 while extending their win streak to seven games in a row, leaving time to tell how long the newfound good vibes will last.
Now that they're back in the playoff mix, it wouldn't be surprising if the Red Sox are looking to add a piece or two ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. The bullpen could be one area that Boston will target, especially when the unit has performed fairly average outside of Aroldis Chapman's elite performance.
Interestingly enough, one MLB analyst has named the Red Sox as the perfect landing spot for a certain reliever before the deadline.
Red Sox Named Perfect Fit for Cardinals Closer Ryan Helsley Before Trade Deadline
Earlier this week, ESPN's Jeff Passan named St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley as the perfect trade target for the Red Sox in the coming weeks. The 30-year-old hurler will hit free agency once the campaign ends, meaning the Cardinals could be open to a pre-deadline deal if they don't plan to bring him back.
"Getting Helsley from St. Louis would give Boston arguably the top setup-closer combination in baseball and go a long way toward supporting a rotation that has been among the game's best over the past month," Passan wrote.
Having just led the Majors with 49 saves last season, Hesley is the type of pitcher any manager would love to add to their bullpen. The two-time MLB All-Star righty has amassed 102 saves throughout his career, all while averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and holding opposing batters to a 2.69 ERA and .200/.281/.315 slash line.
In 31 outings with the Cardinals so far in 2025, Helsley is 3-0 with a 3.19 ERA and 18 saves. He's also picked up 35 strikeouts across 31 innings, and would make for one of baseball's most lethal one-two punches if he joined Chapman (1.22 ERA, 16 saves, 13.4 Ks per 9) in the Red Sox's bullpen.
Despite his expiring contract, Boston would likely have to send a solid prospect or two back to St. Louis to land Helsley. Nevertheless, it's a price worth paying if it means manager Alex Cora will have one of the most reliable bullpens in baseball come September and October.
At the end of the day, the Red Sox have done a good job of bouncing back after doubters had written them off, and acquiring Helsley before the trade deadline would show fans they're serious about competing this season.