Diamondbacks Reportedly Interested in $81 Million Cardinals Closer To Ignite Bullpen

The Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen has been struggling to say the least, sitting as of Tuesday as the eighth-worst bullpen in baseball in ERA, but reports surfaced from USA Today's Bob Nightengale that they are in the market to fix that with last season's National League Reliever of the Year, St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

Helsley was the Cardinals' best weapon last season, saving 49 games while only blowing four, but has not had his number called nearly as much during the first month of the season. Helsley has appeared in 10 games thus far and has only had six save opportunities, blowing two of them.

Helsley's services have been rumored to be on the trade block since the offseason, but the Cardinals have held off on moving the franchise record-holder despite interest around the league. Helsley's value is at its highest since the end of last season, and the return to St. Louis could be a franchise-changing haul. The Cardinals will be weighing their options heavily before making the final decision.

As for the Diamondbacks, they are in the thick of an ultra-competitive National League West race, and their bullpen has been floundering, with them blowing five saves as of Tuesday. Despite the early struggles of Helsley, his services would be useful for the Diamondbacks, and he would be able to close the leaks in the late innings.

The Diamondbacks will be wanting to act fast, as the Cardinals' bullpen is also falling apart going into May. If the Cardinals' bullpen can find itself in the coming weeks, the Cardinals' willingness to part with Helsley may fade as they could claw back into the NL Central race. Helsley's electric fastball and tumbling slider will be at the top of teams' lists, and if the Diamondbacks wait and the Cardinals look to move him, the asking price could result in a bidding war among playoff hopefuls.

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