If the Cardinals trade Ryan Helsley, the Dodgers make sense as a destination

The Cardinals appear likely to trade Ryan Helsley as long as they get a strong package in return. That means some major league-ready prospects will likely return to the Cardinals if Helsley is dealt.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about two possible spots Helsley could land and what each team’s return packages would look like. Jim Bowden had listed the Red Sox and Orioles as potential trade partners.

While I like the idea of ​​trading with one of these teams, they aren’t the only teams that I think could give the Cardinals a good return for Helsley. In fact, while I think they could get a good flight from either Boston or Baltimore, I don’t think either of them can offer St. Louis the best possible package.

This is where the Dodgers come into play. Everyone knows that the Dodgers are essentially involved in everything, adding players to their roster just because they can. They have the financial means and capital to make things like this happen.

But yesterday, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report compiled a list of the top prospects who could be traded ahead of the Winter Meetings. On the list was Daulton Rushing, the Dodgers’ top prospect, catcher and outfielder.

As the Cardinals weigh their options in terms of packages for Helsley, rushing is someone that I’m quite intrigued by. He is ranked No. 46 in all of baseball and had a strong season in the minors, where he slashed .271/.385/.512 with 26 home runs, 85 RBI and 48 extra-base hits.

While the Cardinals have plenty of catching prospects, they appear to be a little thin in the outfield now, and rushing could certainly help with that. He’s a cost-controlled hitter who could be ready next season and could even give the Cardinals a bit of a boost if acquired.

But rushing isn’t the Dodgers’ only strength that makes me believe they’re the best potential trade partner for Helsley. I really like the pitching options they have and I think the Cardinals need at least one cost-controlled pitcher. You have guys like Justin Wrobleski, Kyle Hurt and Nick Frasso who all intrigue me.

That’s why I think the Dodgers are the best trade partner if the Cardinals trade Helsley. A good package could help St. Louis accelerate its rebuild and potentially return to contention by 2026.