Cardinals predicted to deal pair of relievers to Rangers in blockbuster

The St. Louis Cardinals have committed to selling at the trade deadline. At 55-54, they are 4 1/2 games back in the National League Wild Card race and 10 back in the NL Central.

In all likelihood, their playoff dreams have already been dashed. They have plenty of players teams are going to show interest in.

The most likely players to be dealt are Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton and Steven Matz, all relievers on expiring contracts. Now is the time to capitalize on their value.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicts St. Louis will trade Maton and Helsley to the Texas Rangers for prospects Kohl Drake, Dylan Dreiling and Maicol Reyes.

"At surface level, the Rangers have one of the best bullpens in baseball with a 3.25 ERA that trails only the Padres (3.03) for the top spot in all of baseball. However, they have converted just 27 of 45 save opportunities, and fortifying the late innings will be item No. 1 on their trade deadline to-do list," Reuter wrote.

"Helsley (36 G, 21 SV, 3.00 ERA, 10.3 K/9) and Maton (40 G, 20 HLD, 2.35 ERA, 11.3 K/9) would join Robert Garcia, Shawn Armstrong and Hoby Milner to give the Rangers a formidable late-inning contingent."

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Helsley saved 49 games last year, setting a franchise record. He hasn't been quite as dominant this year, but still has been effective.

Maton was the Cardinals only free agent signing last offseason. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract to join the team, but he is having a career year and could bring back a solid return.

Packaging both Helsley and Maton together could give the Cardinals the best possible return for both relievers. Neither one will likely be back in 2026.

In addition, the Rangers have a strong farm system, and the Cardinals could take their pick of which prospects interest them the most. St. Louis' minor league system has fallen apart and needs to be replenished.

We'll see if the two clubs make this deal.

More MLB: Rangers predicted to land pair of Cardinals relievers in blockbuster