The New York Yankees’ front office has been hooked on, are. Their phones lately, and they’re not doomscrolling. As trade buzz swirls, Brian Cashman and Co. are deep in negotiations, angling for bullpen help that could flip the script on a shaky July. And as scouts packed Busch Stadium over the weekend, one name kept cropping up in whispers. The subject? A fireballer who made even routine ninth innings feel like high-stakes auditions. And over the past week, that quiet buzz has morphed into a full-blown scramble as some of baseball’s biggest contenders circle like sharks.

That fireballer is Ryan Helsley, the Cardinals’ All-Star closer whose 100-mph fastball doesn’t just blow by hitters, but erases threats completely. In a season where dependable high-leverage arms are gold, Helsley has emerged as arguably the most coveted bullpen prize at this year’s deadline. With a 1.79 ERA, 22 saves, and an electric strikeout rate, he’s more than a luxury; he’s a postseason necessity. And now, his name is front and center in every front office war room from the Bronx to Chavez Ravine.

The Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers have all officially entered the race for Helsley, setting up a three-team bidding war that’s quickly gaining steam, according to multiple league insiders. The Phillies, Rangers, and Blue Jays remain interested, but the New York powers and L.A. are outpacing the field, and with the deadline looming, urgency is peaking.

For the Yankees, it’s about patching a bleeding bullpen that’s cost them games, and possibly momentum in a brutal July slide. Aaron Boone can shuffle arms all he wants, but without a lockdown closer, this season risks spiraling. Helsley offers immediate credibility and ninth-inning dominance the Bronx hasn’t seen since peak Aroldis Chapman.

Meanwhile, the Mets have gone from afterthoughts to dark horses, and they know a strong bullpen is their ticket to a Wild Card upset. Pairing Helsley with Edwin Díaz could create a thunderous one-two punch that silences late-inning rallies before they start. Steve Cohen’s front office has already signaled it’s willing to spend; now, it’s about sealing the deal.

And then there’s L.A., wounded but never out. The Dodgers are navigating bullpen chaos, cycling through arms and leaning too heavily on makeshift setups. Helsley would be a godsend in a postseason where one blown lead can detonate a season.

The Cardinals, knowing they hold leverage, want controllable arms in return. With Helsley under team control through 2026 and making $8.2 million this year, he’s no rental; he’s an investment. And with less than 48 hours until the trade deadline, the contenders are getting desperate, and the bidding isn’t cooling down anytime soon.

Why the Yankees can’t afford to miss

The Yankees aren’t just browsing the trade market; they’re trying to stop a season from slipping through their fingers. After roaring through the first half, New York now finds itself wobbling on shaky legs, and it’s not just because of a leaky bullpen. Aaron Judge’s recent elbow flare-up, which forced him to sit out this past week and raised concerns about potential structural issues, has thrown a wrench into their entire game plan. Without his bat anchoring the middle of the lineup, the offense has cooled dramatically, leaving a battered bullpen with no room for error.

And that bullpen is badly bruised. While Clay Holmes has struggled under the late-inning pressure, Jonathan Loaisiga is sidelined for the rest of the season. Tommy Kahnle and Scott Effross also continue to stay on the injured list. Ian Hamilton and Nick Burdi have joined them. Meanwhile, Ron Marinaccio has lost the coaching staff’s trust, and Boone has been forced to mix and match in situations that scream for stability. The result? Five blown leads in July and a bullpen ERA north of 5.00 since the All-Star break.

That’s why Ryan Helsley isn’t just a luxury move; he’s a lifeline. With the offense in flux and Judge’s timeline unclear, the Yankees have no choice but to reinforce the one part of their roster that can keep them in close games: the bullpen. Helsley brings velocity, control, and balance in high-leverage moments, exactly what this team lacks right now.

For a club slipping down the AL East standings, standing still isn’t an option. Not with Judge limping, the bullpen cracking, and October hopes fading fast.