Ryan Helsley Bolsters Orioles’ Bullpen with Two-Year Deal
Closer Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles have reached an agreement on a two-year contract that includes an opt-out after the first season. This news marks a significant step in the rebuilding of Baltimore’s pitching staff, which adds to its ranks one of the most sought-after relievers in the free agent market.
Despite interest from several teams in converting Helsley to a starter, the 31-year-old right-handed pitcher opted to remain in the role that made him a two-time All-Star. This will allow him to lead the ninth inning for the Orioles, maintaining the possibility of accessing the open market after 2026.
This agreement, subject to a physical examination, represents the second addition to Baltimore’s bullpen this offseason. Previously, the team reacquired right-hander Andrew Kittredge, coming from the Cubs.
With a struggling pitching staff, the Orioles finished last season with a 75-87 record, finishing in last place in the American League East, after having participated in the postseason in previous years.
Mike Elias, Orioles’ president of baseball operations, focused on the free agent market to find an option for the final innings and chose Helsley. Throughout his seven-year career, Helsley has maintained a 2.96 ERA in 319.2 innings, with 377 strikeouts, 133 walks, and 105 saves.
One of the low points in Helsley’s career was the last two months of the 2025 season, when, after a trade from the Cardinals to the New York Mets, he recorded an ERA of 7.20 and allowed 36 runners in 20 innings. After an outstanding performance in the 2024 All-Star Game, where he led the National League with 49 saves and an ERA of 2.04, Helsley achieved 21 saves and a solid ERA of 3.00 for the Cardinals before the trade to the Mets.
Acquired to bolster New York’s bullpen, led by closer Edwin Díaz, Helsley struggled during his time with the Mets. He blew saves in three consecutive appearances in mid-August and spent most of the last month working in low-pressure situations, as New York collapsed and failed to qualify for the postseason.
Baltimore saw more potential than problems in Helsley’s slump and is confident that his pitching quality, which according to metrics is among the best in the game, will return him to his dominant level. Helsley possesses one of the fastest pitches in baseball, averaging 99.3 mph in 2025, according to Statcast, ranking in the 99th percentile of all pitchers.
With closer Felix Bautista expected to miss the 2026 seasons due to rotator cuff and labrum surgeries in August, the Orioles began the offseason with only Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin as veteran bullpen options. In addition to Helsley and Kittredge, the Orioles could add another reliever.
The need for help in the Orioles’ pitching isn’t limited to the bullpen. Following the trade of Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for left fielder Taylor Ward, Baltimore continues to seek options for the starting rotation, intending to join Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish at the top of their rotation.
Helsley, selected in the fifth round of the draft from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, was a full-time starter in the minor leagues until he reached the Cardinals’ Major League roster. From 2022 to 2024, he was arguably the most valuable reliever in the National League.
