The Philadelphia Phillies could be in the market to upgrade their roster by the MLB Trade Deadline on July 31. MLB insider Jim Bowden authored a piece for The Athletic about five MLB trades he'd like to see happen in May (subscription required). One deal involves the Phillies trading away their No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, starting pitcher Mick Abel. Philly would trade him to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Ryan Helsley.
The Phillies' bullpen has been erratic over the first month of the regular season. Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski may be in the market to acquire another right-handed reliever by July's MLB Trade Deadline. Right-handers Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering have each dealt with their share of struggles. However, Dombrowski should not trade Abel this season.
Phillies should avoid trade proposal that would send prospect Mick Abel to St. Louis for veteran Ryan Helsley
Abel is coming off a rough 2024 season, but has redeemed himself this year. He has already surpassed his total of three wins last season. Heading into his scheduled May 6 start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A, the right-hander has allowed 12 earned runs in 39 1/3 innings pitched for a 2.75 ERA in seven starts.
Before his eighth start last year, Abel's ERA was 5.40 in 32 innings pitched. He surrendered 20 earned runs over this span. His four home runs allowed are the same total as this season. The former Phillies first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft walked 22 batters after his first seven starts in 2024, compared to 17 this year. According to Bowden, the starter has averaged 3.9 walks per nine innings this year, a notable drop from the 6.5 walks per nine in his 24 outings last season.
Abel still needs to lessen the number of walks he allows. He has a 5.2 average in his minor league career. However, his solid beginning over the first month of 2025 is promising a much improved season. The Phillies elected to promote the Portland, Oregon, native to the 40-man roster during the offseason to prevent him from being eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft. The organization values him and has decided to remain patient with his development; otherwise, they may have taken the risk and not protected him from being selected in the draft.
Besides Andrew Painter and Abel, the Phillies don't have another starting pitcher ranked in their Top 30 MLB Pipeline prospects who appear to be close to debuting in the majors. The franchise has enough depth at starting pitching, so Abel can take another full season to develop in Lehigh Valley.
Trade for Ryan Helsley would only make sense with an extension
Helsley had a breakout season in 2024 as the Cardinals' closer. He pitched to a 2.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 79 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings, logging 49 saves in 53 opportunities.
He has had a decent start to the season with five saves in seven opportunities, but his 3.46 ERA is his highest since 2021 and his 1.54 WHIP is a career high at the moment. He has struck out 13 and walked eight batters in 13 innings.
Bowden writes that the reliever may not remain with St. Louis, as he will be a free agent this offseason. Acquiring Helsley would give Phillies manager Rob Thomson another right-handed option out of the bullpen, and he would provide some internal competition.
Bowden believes it would be fairer in the Abel for Helsley trade if the Phillies could extend the Cardinals closer, keeping him in Philadelphia beyond 2025. That would make the potential trade more appealing for Philly, considering relievers Romano and Joe Ross will be free agents following this season. Matt Strahm and José Alvarado each have club options and are not guaranteed to be back next year.
While Abel's tendency to allow walks and home runs needs to be improved, his best years remain ahead. He will turn 24 in August. The Phillies should avoid trading the young starter this season to improve their bullpen depth.