The Mets made a splash at last summer’s trade deadline, sending a trio of prospects to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for closer Ryan Helsley.
On paper, it looked like a win-now move for a bullpen in need of reinforcements. In practice?
It didn’t pan out. Helsley struggled in a setup role down the stretch, getting hit hard through August and into September.
For Mets fans, his brief stint might feel less like a key addition and more like a painful memory - the kind you’d rather forget.
But the real long-term impact of that deal could come from the prospects the Mets gave up - particularly infielder Jesús Báez, who was considered the centerpiece of the return. Báez entered the 2025 season with some buzz around his name, thanks to a solid toolset and flashes of potential. Unfortunately, he didn’t exactly light it up with the Cardinals either, finishing the year on a sour note after a shaky start in the Mets system.
Now, that trade is drawing fresh scrutiny - not just because of Helsley’s performance, but because Báez’s development appears to be hitting a wall. According to prospect analyst Keith Law, Báez’s issues go beyond the stat sheet. Law didn’t hold back in his recent evaluation, highlighting concerns about Báez’s effort level and preparation.
“He didn’t play hard on either side of the ball, including running balls out - the easiest thing to do as a player,” Law noted. “And his approach to at-bats was awful. He also showed up out of shape last spring, helping the Mets decide to move him.”
That’s a tough assessment for any young player, especially one who was once viewed as a potential top-10 prospect in the Mets system. Báez’s numbers don’t do much to soften the blow, either.
He slashed .242/.326/.387 across stints in A-Ball and High-A last season. Solid?
Maybe. Promising?
Not quite. For his minor league career, he’s sitting at .243/.329/.399 - not disastrous, but far from the kind of production that screams future big leaguer.
To be fair, Báez is still just 20, with his 21st birthday coming later this month. He’s not behind schedule developmentally, and he’s not out of chances.
But with Rule 5 eligibility looming this December, and no breakout season to his name, he’s quickly approaching a crossroads. The tools are there - Law acknowledged as much - but tools alone don’t get you to the majors.
Work ethic, conditioning, and approach matter just as much, if not more.
Looking back at the trade, Báez was arguably the most notable name the Mets gave up. Drew Gilbert’s stock had already dipped, and Blade Tidwell hadn’t done enough to cement himself as a top-tier prospect.
Báez, at least on paper, had the upside. But if the Cardinals can’t unlock that potential - or if Báez doesn’t take the necessary steps on his own - the deal could end up being more about missed opportunities than anything else.
As for the Mets, there’s not much more damage this trade can do. Helsley didn’t deliver, and Báez hasn’t taken off.
The other two prospects in the deal - pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt - weren’t viewed as high-ceiling arms at the time, and they haven’t drastically changed that perception since. This might wind up being one of those trades that quietly fades into the background - no clear winner, just a reminder of how tricky prospect-for-veteran deals can be.
For now, the spotlight stays on Báez. The tools are still intriguing.
The runway is still there. But if the Cardinals can’t help him find the right gear - and if he doesn’t bring more to the table in terms of effort and preparation - that runway could shorten quickly.