Orioles Sign Ryan Helsley to Bolster Baltimore Bullpen

Ryan Helsley’s move to the Baltimore Orioles stands out as one of the more intriguing bullpen storylines this offseason. The veteran right-hander just signed a two-year, $28 million deal with an opt-out after the first year.

Several teams chased him, hoping for a rotation makeover. Baltimore, though, is betting on his proven ability to shut things down in the ninth inning.

Orioles Land an Elite Closer on a Short-Term, High-Impact Deal

The Orioles didn’t just grab another arm—they landed one of baseball’s most productive closers. By spending big on a short-term deal, Baltimore signals a win-now mentality but keeps future plans open.

Helsley’s contract structure jumps out. The two-year, $28 million agreement includes an opt-out after the first season, so Helsley can test the market again if he dominates in the AL East.

For the Orioles, it’s a calculated gamble. If he locks down the back end of their bullpen, the upside is obvious.

Why Baltimore Was the Right Fit

Plenty of clubs wanted Helsley as a starter. The Orioles, though, decided to use his strengths where they matter most.

In a division where every late-inning out matters, Baltimore clearly believes Helsley’s ninth-inning work is more valuable than a risky move to the rotation.

Breaking Down Helsley’s Recent Performance

To see what the Orioles are getting, let’s look at Helsley’s 2024 season. It really was a tale of two halves.

With the St. Louis Cardinals, Helsley showed why he’s seen as a top late-inning weapon. Over 36 innings, he put up a 3.00 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.

His 41:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio during that stretch shows he can miss bats and limit damage when it counts.

Struggles After the Trade to the Mets

Things went sideways after his move to the New York Mets. Over his final 20 innings, Helsley allowed 16 earned runs, a rough patch that definitely caught some attention and probably hurt his market value.

For closers, late-season struggles get magnified, since those blown saves often come in big moments. Still, Helsley’s overall track record holds up.

He owns a career ERA of 2.96, putting him among the best active relievers. That Mets stint? It looks more like a blip than a new trend.

MLB Saves Leader and Proven Ninth-Inning Presence

Helsley separates himself from other relievers by converting save chances at a high volume and staying efficient. In 2024, he led all of Major League Baseball with 49 saves.

That’s not just a stat—it says a lot about his mental toughness and the trust he’s earned from managers. The Orioles, aiming for a deep postseason run, clearly see Helsley as the guy who can protect leads in October just as well as in April.

Why Keeping Him as a Closer Makes Sense

Some teams looked at Helsley’s stuff and pictured him starting. But Baltimore’s approach is different.

In this bullpen-heavy era, late leads are gold. Locking down the ninth inning has huge value.

By sticking with Helsley as their closer, the Orioles are:

Fantasy Baseball Impact: Helsley Remains a Premium Asset

For fantasy baseball managers, Helsley’s move and role clarity in Baltimore are big news. He’s still a top-tier saves source with serious strikeout upside.

Heading into the new season, Helsley should be viewed as:

What to Expect in Baltimore

If Helsley can get back to something close to his Cardinals form, he might challenge for the league lead in saves. The Orioles are a competitive club and play a lot of tight games, so there’s definitely a chance for him to rack up saves.

Baltimore’s decision to lock him in as their closer shows they believe in his arm and his mentality. His track record doesn’t hurt, either.

For both the Orioles and fantasy managers, Ryan Helsley looks like a high-leverage, high-reward investment going into the season.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Orioles’ Ryan Helsley: Signs with Baltimore