Pitchers Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers and outfielder Cedric Mullins jumped into a pennant race when they joined the National League-East leading New York Mets in search of the franchise’s first champ

The Mets have activated right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Helsley and center fielder Cedric Mullins, both of whom join recent additions Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers on the Mets’ active roster. And in a corresponding roster move,

The Mets are acquiring hard-throwing closer Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, a day before the July 31 Major League Baseball deadline, the team announced Wednesday. The Cardinals get back three minor leaguers: shortstop Jesus Baez and right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt.

The Mets traded three players to the Cardinals for closer Ryan Helsley, who was expected to serve as the setup man in New York for Edwin Diaz.

With a revamped roster, the Mets are +850 to win the World Series, per DraftKings Sportsbook, only behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (+285), the Philadelphia Phillies (+800) and the Detroit Tigers (+800). With the trade deadline moves, New York now has a payroll of $339.8 million, per Spotrac.

Club president David Stearns was motivated to improve his roster as the franchise seeks to build off its 2024 NLCS run.